How English Became the Language of Royalty
The English language has a rich history, with influences from Germanic, Latin, and French. However, its widespread usage as a global language owes much to the British Empire's colonization and spread of English. But what about English as the language of royalty? How did this come about?
Early Beginnings
English has been spoken in England for over a thousand years, with Old English being the early form of the language. It wasn't until the Middle English period (1066-1485) when French began to infiltrate the English language. French was the language of the Norman conquerors and the nobility who ruled England. But it wasn't until Henry V's reign (1413-1422) when English began to be used in official documents and legal proceedings.
During the Tudor dynasty (1485-1603), English began to emerge as the language of the common people and the upper classes. The printing press helped to standardize the language, and the Reformation under Henry VIII led to the translation of the Bible into English. This helped to promote the language to a wider audience.
The Role of Queen Elizabeth I
It was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) that English really started to establish itself as the language of royalty. Elizabeth was a great patron of the arts, and she encouraged the use of English in literature and the theater. She herself was proficient in several languages, including Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish, but she made a conscious effort to promote English in official circles.
Elizabeth also established the first English colony in America in 1583, which helped to spread the language globally. With the establishment of the British Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries, English became the dominant language of trade, diplomacy, and administration.
The Modern Era
English continued to thrive in the modern era, and the British Royal Family played a significant role in promoting the language. King George V (1910-1936) was the first British monarch to make a Christmas broadcast on the radio in 1932, which was in English. This helped to consolidate English as the national language of Britain and spread its usage globally.
Today, the British Royal Family continues to be a symbol of the English language. English is the language of diplomacy and is widely spoken around the world. It is also the language of technology, with many technical terms originating from English. From its humble origins as a dialect in England, English has grown to be one of the most important languages of our time and has a special place as the language of royalty.