English is a tricky language with spelling that doesn’t always make sense, and pronunciation that can be hard to say. But this is because of how the language has evolved over time.
One reason English is so complicated is because it has borrowed words from many other languages. For example, when the French invaded England in 1066, they brought their language with them, which is why many English words have French origins. The language has also taken words from Latin, Greek, and many other languages. These borrowed words often come with their own spelling and pronunciation, making English even more complicated.
Another thing that has made English spelling confusing is the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. Before then, people wrote words however they wanted to. But with the printing press, it became important to have a standard way of spelling words so that everything would look the same in print. This led to different spelling rules being created, which sometimes didn’t match the way people actually spoke.
Unlike other languages like French, there isn’t one organization in charge of deciding how to spell words in English. This means that different groups have different rules for spelling and grammar. Due to all these factors, English spelling can be hard to learn and use correctly. However, it’s important to remember that the way English is today is a result of its rich history and many different influences.
Comprehension
1) Why is English a complex language?
2) How did the printing press influence English spelling?
3) Is there a centralized institution to regulate English spelling and grammar?
Vocabulary
Match the words to the definitions:
1) Tricky
2) make sense
3) evolved
4) borrow
5) lead to
6) Due to (+noun)
a) to cause something to happen
b) to use for a short time and then return
c) to be logical
d) difficult
e) slow change over time
f) because of (+noun)
Grammar Highlights
For non-defining relative clauses, never use “that” as the relative pronoun
“… they brought their language with them, that which is why many English words have French origins.”
*This article was adapted from another article to make it more suitable for English learners. You can read the original article here.