Editing English

{{SHORTDESC:West Germanic language spoken primarily in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other parts of the world}}
{{Infobox language
| name         = English
| nativename   = English
| region       = Global
| native_name  = English
| familycolor  = Indo-European
| fam2         = Germanic
| fam3         = West Germanic
| fam4         = Anglo-Frisian
| fam5         = Anglo-Saxon
| script       = Latin (English alphabet)
| creators     = Anglo-Saxons
| speakers     = 1.5 billion (2021 estimate)
| countries    = United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others
| iso1         = en
| iso2         = eng
| iso3         = eng
}}

'''English''' is a [[West Germanic languages|West Germanic]] language that originated in [[Anglo-Saxon England]] and is now spoken by approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide. It is the first language of approximately 360 million people, and it serves as a second language to many more. English has become the global lingua franca, widely used in international communication, science, technology, business, and diplomacy.

== History ==
The history of the English language spans over 1,400 years, beginning with the Anglo-Saxon settlement of [[Great Britain]] in the 5th and 6th centuries. The language developed through several stages: Old English (c. 450–1150), Middle English (c. 1150–1500), Early Modern English (c. 1500–1700), and Modern English (from c. 1700 to the present).

=== Old English ===
Old English was the language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons, who settled in Britain after the fall of the [[Roman Empire]]. It was primarily based on the [[Anglo-Frisian]] dialects of the [[Germanic peoples]].

=== Middle English ===
Middle English emerged after the [[Norman Conquest of England]] in 1066, which introduced many [[Norman French]] words into the language. This period is marked by the works of authors such as [[Geoffrey Chaucer]].

=== Early Modern English ===
Early Modern English emerged during the late 15th century and is most famously represented by the works of [[William Shakespeare]] and the [[King James Bible]]. This period saw significant standardization of spelling and grammar, largely due to the printing press, which was introduced to England by [[William Caxton]] in 1476.

== Global Usage ==
English is the official language of several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many others. It is also widely spoken as a second language in many countries across the world.

=== English as a Lingua Franca ===
In addition to its use as a native language, English serves as a [[lingua franca]] in various international contexts, facilitating communication between people who do not share a native language. It is the dominant language in global commerce, academia, science, and technology.

== Varieties of English ==
There are numerous varieties of English, influenced by historical, geographical, and cultural factors. The major dialects include:

* [[American English]]
* [[British English]]
* [[Australian English]]
* [[Canadian English]]
* [[Indian English]]

Each of these varieties has its own distinctive vocabulary, pronunciation, and sometimes grammar rules.

== Writing System ==
English uses the [[Latin alphabet]], consisting of 26 letters. The modern system of writing is largely phonetic, though English has many irregular spellings due to its diverse linguistic history. [[Spelling reform]] efforts have been made, but none have led to a widespread change in spelling conventions.

== Linguistic Features ==
English is a [[Subject-Verb-Object]] (SVO) language, with a relatively simple inflectional system compared to many other Indo-European languages. Its vocabulary has been heavily influenced by languages such as [[Latin]], [[French]], [[German]], and others. The use of auxiliary verbs, such as "do," is a notable feature of English grammar.

== See Also ==
* [[History of the English language]]
* [[List of English dialects]]
* [[English phonology]]
* [[English grammar]]

== External Links ==
* [https://www.englishclub.com/ EnglishClub: Learn English]
* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/English-language English language article on Britannica]