BETA
Chapter 1
The tone and character of Mandarin
Chapter 2
Spanish, the global wanderer
Chapter 3
Hindi and the brilliant mosaic of India
Chapter 4
Arabic and the genius of the root system
Chapter 5
English, the ultimate borrowing machine
Ch 5 · English, the ultimate borrowing machine
duolingo Swipe the sponge through global words to discover how humanity's most spoken languages connect.
duolingo Everyday words like house and water survived to mix with French after the 1066 Norman Conquest, creating a hybrid language.
Quiz
What historical event in 1066 introduced Norman French to England, permanently changing the English language?
Quiz
Which group of people brought the West Germanic dialects to Britain in the 5th century CE, forming the basis of Old English?
Fun Fact
Word thief: English does not just borrow words from other languages; it follows them down dark alleys, knocks them over, and goes through their pockets.
Quiz
Why does English have different words for live animals (like cow) and their meat (like beef)?
Glossary
loanword (noun)
A word adopted from one language and incorporated into another without translation. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, English adopted thousands of French terms, transforming its vocabulary.
A word adopted from one language and incorporated into another without translation. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, English adopted thousands of French terms, transforming its vocabulary.
Quiz
Who introduced the first printing press to England in 1476, helping to freeze English spelling before pronunciation finished changing?
Quiz
What major linguistic event between 1400 and 1700 changed how English long vowels were pronounced, while spelling remained frozen?
duolingo Global Englishes
Three out of four voices speaking today learned English as their second tongue.
Quiz
The vibrant English-based creole language 'Singlish' is spoken in which global financial hub?