Britain was the only Roman province in the west of Europe
where a Teutonic language took root and maintained itself. Here the rough,
guttural speech of the Anglo-Saxons so completely drove out the popular Latin
that only six words were left behind by the Romans, when they abandoned the
island early in the fifth century. More Celtic words remained, words like cradle,
crock, mop, and pillow, which were names of household objects, and
the names of rivers, mountains, and lakes, which were not easily changed by the
invaders. [5] But with such slight exceptions Anglo-Saxon was thoroughly
Teutonic in vocabulary, as well as in grammar.
[5] Two names for rivers--Avon and Ex--which in one
form or another are found in every part of England, are Celtic words meaning
"water."
CHANGES IN ANGLO-SAXON
In course of time Anglo-Saxon underwent various changes.
Christian missionaries, from the seventh century onward, introduced many new
Latin terms for church offices, services, and observances. The Danes, besides
contributing some place-names, gave us that most useful word are, and
also the habit of using to before an infinitive. The coming of the
Normans deeply affected Anglo-Saxon. Norman-French influence helped to make the
language simpler, by ridding it of the cumbersome declensions and conjugations
which it had in common with all Teutonic tongues. Many new Norman-French words
also crept in, as the hostility of the English people toward their conquerors
disappeared.
