Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 1 – How English Began

Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 1 – How English Began explains the origin and early development of the English language. The chapter describes how English developed from the languages spoken by Germanic tribes and gradually became the language we know today.

How English Began is the first chapter of the Story of English section in Rainbow Part 1. It introduces students to the Germanic origins of English, the Anglo-Saxon tribes and the connection of English with the Indo-European family of languages.

Bihar Board Class 11 English How English Began – Overview

How English Began – Introduction

English is one of the most widely used languages in the world today, but it did not develop suddenly. The English language has a long history and has changed considerably over many centuries.

The chapter explains that the English spoken today developed from the speech of Germanic tribes. The three important tribes associated with the beginning of English were the Angles, Saxons and Jutes.

These tribes came to England in the fifth century and played an important role in the development of the language and the name of the country.

Origin of the English Language

The English language developed from the speech of Germanic people. The language belongs to the larger Indo-European family of languages.

English therefore has historical relationships with several other languages belonging to this family. The chapter also points out that English is much younger than languages such as Persian.

The Three Germanic Tribes

The three Germanic tribes traditionally associated with the beginning of English were:

• Angles
• Saxons
• Jutes

These groups are collectively associated with the Anglo-Saxon people.

Their migration and settlement in England had a major influence on the development of the language that eventually became English.

Who Were the Anglo-Saxons?

The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic people who settled in England. Their language became an important foundation of what is known as Old English.

The term English itself developed from the name associated with the Angles. The Old English form Engle contributed to the later development of the word English.

The Saxons and the Native People

The native people of England referred to the Germanic invaders as Saxons.

The Saxons, in turn, referred to the native inhabitants as Wealas, meaning foreigners or people who were not part of their own group.

English and the Indo-European Family

English belongs to the Indo-European family through its Germanic branch.

The Indo-European family includes a large number of languages. English is historically related to languages such as Latin, Greek and Sanskrit through this broader language family.

This relationship does not mean that these languages are identical. Instead, it indicates that they have common historical origins and linguistic relationships.

How Did England Get Its Name?

The name England came into use around AD 1000. It replaced the earlier form Anglecyn or related Old English forms associated with the people of the Angles.

The development of the country’s name is closely connected with the historical importance of the Angles.

How English Began – Summary

The English language has developed through a long historical process. Its early foundation came from the speech of Germanic tribes.

The Angles, Saxons and Jutes came to England during the fifth century. Their languages and dialects contributed to the development of Old English.

The Anglo-Saxon period was therefore an important stage in the history of English. Over time, English continued to change as different peoples, languages and historical events influenced it.

The word English itself is connected with the Angles, while the name England gradually developed from the same historical background.

Thus, the chapter explains that modern English is the result of a long process of linguistic development rather than the language of a single tribe or period.

Main Points of How English Began

1. Germanic Origin

English developed from the speech of Germanic tribes.

2. Angles, Saxons and Jutes

These three Germanic tribes played an important role in the early development of English.

3. Anglo-Saxon Language

The language of the Anglo-Saxon settlers became an important foundation of Old English.

4. Indo-European Family

English belongs to the Indo-European family through the Germanic branch.

5. Development of the Name England

The name England developed from the historical association with the Angles.

Important Questions from How English Began

• How did the English language begin?
• Which tribes played an important role in the beginning of English?
• Who were the Anglo-Saxons?
• What did the natives of England call the Germanic invaders?
• What did the Saxons call the native people of England?
• What languages were called English?
• When did the name England come into use?
• Which word did the name England replace?
• To which language family does English belong?
• How is English related to the Indo-European family?
• Why is English called a Germanic language?
• Write a brief note on how English began.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Who were the three Germanic tribes associated with the beginning of English?

Answer: The three Germanic tribes were the Angles, Saxons and Jutes. They played an important role in the development of early English.

Question 2. Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

Answer: The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic people associated mainly with the Angles and Saxons, along with the Jutes in the traditional account of early English history. Their language became an important foundation of Old English.

Question 3. What did the natives of England call the Germanic invaders?

Answer: The natives of England called the Germanic invaders Saxons.

Question 4. What did the Saxons call the natives of England?

Answer: The Saxons called the native people Wealas, meaning foreigners.

Question 5. To which family of languages does English belong?

Answer: English belongs to the Indo-European family of languages through the Germanic branch.

Question 6. When did the name England come into use?

Answer: The name England came into use around AD 1000.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Write a brief note on how English began.

Answer: The English language developed from the speech of Germanic tribes. The Angles, Saxons and Jutes came to England in the fifth century and established themselves in different parts of the country.

Their languages and dialects contributed to the development of Old English. The name English is connected with the Angles, while the name England also developed from this historical association.

English belongs to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Over the centuries, it continued to develop under the influence of different languages and historical events.

Question 2. Explain the role of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes in the development of English.

Answer: The Angles, Saxons and Jutes were Germanic tribes that came to England in the fifth century. Their speech became an important foundation of Old English.

Their settlement changed both the linguistic and cultural character of England. The name English is associated with the Angles, and their language contributed significantly to the development of the English language.

Question 3. Explain the relationship between English and the Indo-European family.

Answer: English belongs to the Indo-European family of languages through the Germanic branch.

The Indo-European family contains many historically related languages. English therefore shares distant linguistic relationships with languages such as Latin, Greek and Sanskrit.

This relationship reflects the common historical development of these languages from an ancient language family.

How English Began – Important Word Meanings

Exam Oriented Points

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 1 of Story of English?

Chapter 1 of the Story of English section is How English Began.

How did English begin?

English developed from the speech of Germanic tribes, particularly the Angles, Saxons and Jutes who settled in England.

Who were the three tribes associated with early English?

The three tribes were the Angles, Saxons and Jutes.

Which language family does English belong to?

English belongs to the Indo-European family through the Germanic branch.

When did the name England come into use?

The name England came into use around AD 1000.

How to Prepare Chapter 1 for the Exam

1. Understand the origin of English.
2. Remember the three Germanic tribes.
3. Learn who the Anglo-Saxons were.
4. Remember the terms Saxons and Wealas.
5. Understand the connection between English and the Indo-European family.
6. Learn how the name England developed.
7. Revise the important word meanings.
8. Practise the short-answer questions.
9. Prepare the long-answer question on how English began.

Important Links

Conclusion

Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 1 – How English Began explains the Germanic origins of English and the important role played by the Angles, Saxons and Jutes.

The chapter also explains the connection of English with the Indo-European language family and the historical development of the name England.

For examination preparation, students should focus on the origin of English, Anglo-Saxons, three Germanic tribes, Indo-European family, Saxons and Wealas, development of the name England, word meanings and questions and answers.