Etymology

The study of word origins

Where do the words we use come from?

• English is a blend of words from many other languages

• These words made their way into the English language in many ways

o Occupation by other countries/cultures

o English occupation of other countries/cultures

o Brought by immigrants

o Cultural trends and fashions The English language is always changing!

Greek and Latin have had the

biggest influence on English.

This influence started thousands

of years ago…

The Mediterranean Sea

Med = middleTerr = land

The Mediterranean Sea is in the middle of the land where western cultures developed.

The earliest western cultures were Greek and Roman.

Greek LanguageThe first western written language.

The Greeks had an empire that included the lands bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Persia, and Egypt. The Greek language and culture spread throughout this region.

Alexander the Great was the Greek leader

responsible for the spread of the

Greek Empire.

477 BC –149 BC

Roman InfluenceLatin was the language spoken in ancient Rome.

When the Romans conquered territories—

including most of Europe—they brought their

language to those territories. That is why

there are so many words in our language that

have Latin roots.

The Roman Empire

Rome

117 AD

The Romance Languages

LATIN (Ancient Rome)

Italian

Spanish

French

Portuguese

The Roman Empire

Rome Greece

Britain

44 BC –476 AD

How Latin words got into English Language

The Roman Empire expanded into

Britain, bringing Latin

Latin words found their way into the

Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain

How Latin words got into English Language

The Roman Empire expanded into

Britain, bringing Latin

Latin words found their way into the

Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain

Latin word “stratum”

means “layered road”

For Example:

How Latin words got into English Language

The Roman Empire expanded into

Britain, bringing Latin

Latin words found their way into the

Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain

Latin word “stratum”

means “layered road”

“Stratum”became “straets”in Anglo-Saxon

For Example:

How Latin words got into English Language

The Roman Empire expanded into

Britain, bringing Latin

Latin words found their way into the

Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain

Latin word “stratum”

means “layered road”

“Stratum”became “straets”in Anglo-Saxon

Now called“streets” in

modern English

For Example:

How Latin words got into English Language

The Roman Empire expanded into

Britain, bringing Latin

Latin words found their way into the

Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain

Latin word “stratum”

means “layered road”

“Stratum”became “straets”in Anglo-Saxon

Now called“streets” in

modern English

Miles of streets and roads were created.

Mile is from the Latin word mille, which means 1,000.

The Roman mile was measured as 1,000 paces.

For Example:

The English Language

This is how English as we know it today evolved over

the centuries, influenced by many other European

languages.

European Invasions of Britain

Anglians from the area that is now the Netherlands invaded in 550 AD.

Vikings from Scandinavia invaded in 875 AD.

Finally, the Normans from northern France invaded in 1066 AD. English language was banned by the Normans.

All of these invaders brought their languages, which influenced the English language. These influences can be traced through etymology.

Influence of the

Catholic Church

The Catholic Church

was the official

religion in all of

Europe until the 1500’s.

The official language

of the Catholic Church

was Latin. So, no

matter what country,

all services in the

Catholic Church were

spoken in Latin. All

priests and church

officials spoke Latin.

1 AD –1950’s

Renaissance Influence

During the Renaissance, educated people in Europe became interested in Ancient Greece.

It was a time of expansion of knowledge in the areas of science, medicine, art and architecture.

This is how many Greek word roots made their way into the English language, especially in these subject areas.

Renaissance = Rebirth

1400’s-1500’s

The Influence Continues Today

Latin continued to be a universally

understood language among the educated of Europe until the

1800’s. The Catholic

Church continued to use Latin until

the 1950’s.

Our language continues to show influences from the

Greek language, especially in the area

of science.

England Becomes the Invader1600 - 1900

The stars indicate areas that were

once colonies of Britain, and where

English was (and still is) spoken.

Why Should YOU Learn Word Roots?

• You will recognize word chunks in unfamiliar words and be able to narrow down the possible meaning of the word

• It will help you with vocabulary in many subject areas

• You will be better able to pronounce unfamiliar words

• You will become a better speller• Since many languages have common roots to Latin

and Greek, it makes learning a foreign language easier

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight dyna = power

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year

orb = circle

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year

orb = circle pop = people

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year

orb = circle pop = people struct = build

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year

orb = circle pop = people struct = build

terr = land

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year

orb = circle pop = people struct = build

terr = land alt = high

Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?

ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year

orb = circle pop = people struct = build

terr = land alt = highreg = ruledom = rule

Etymology Exercise

Directions: Look up the following words. Write

each word, its definition, and its etymology on

your paper.

1. Senior

2. Educate

3. Ambiguity

4. Pallor

5. Homework: Find the origins of your own last name. You

may have to use the Internet for help.