![]() Old English, the language spoken in much of the British Isles at the time, was quite a different language to the one we know today. Old Norse and Old Englishīefore we dive into the specifics of Viking words, it's important for context to take a look at the languages of the time. So, it's perhaps no surprise that the English language developed to include many terms previously only used in Old Norse. Scandinavians lived and farmed alongside the Old English speakers in the time of Danelaw. Most of the Nordic languages spoken today trace their roots back to Old Norse, which also had its influence on the English language. ![]() Eventually, these newcomers settled across the country, marrying into local families. Their legacy is still very much alive in hundreds of place names and personal names, not to mention everyday items and even days of the week.Īn article in the research journal Antiquity suggested that the number of Scandinavians moving to the British Isles during the Viking Age may have been larger than previous DNA studies suggested.Īs many as 35,000 Scandinavians may have relocated to England. In the 9th and 10th centuries, Scandinavians crossed the North Sea in great numbers. The English language wouldn't be what it is today without the influence from the Norse people. They may have spent decades invading, but the Vikings and their descendants left their mark on the British Isles in more ways than one. ![]() Take a look at how the Viking language of Old Norse played a major role in the development of the English language we know and use today. ![]()
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