A DIACHRONIC ANALYSIS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: FROM PROTO-GERMANIC ROOTS TO GLOBAL LINGUA FRANCA

The English language, a dynamic and ever-evolving system, presents a fascinating subject for linguistic inquiry, tracing its lineage from Proto-Germanic origins through periods of significant external influence and internal transformation. This study aims to delineate the pivotal stages in the history and development of English, identifying key linguistic shifts and socio-historical contexts that shaped its current form. Employing a diachronic linguistic approach, combining historical philology with sociolinguistic analysis, the research examines phonological, morphological, syntactic, and lexical changes across Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English, and Modern English periods. The main results indicate that successive waves of invasion (Jutes, Angles, Saxons, Vikings, Normans) and the advent of printing played crucial roles in its evolution, leading to a complex yet highly adaptable language. The conclusion underscores English's unparalleled capacity for assimilation and adaptation, positioning it as a prime example of linguistic resilience and global prominence.