Why are English and French languages so close ?

Most people have no idea. But 52 % of all English words come from latin or French. Why is this so ?

About 2,000 years ago Roman troops invaded Britain, built forts and garnisons, and then built Adrian Wall to stop the Scot’s ancestors of invanding theirs Southern provinces.

Few centuries later, the Vikings invaded France through Normandy and the Seine river and came as far Lutecia, future Paris. Then Count Eudes of Paris gave them Normandy for their families.

Five centuries later, Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror invaded Britain with his many boats and beat king Harold in Hastings in 1066. He then became king of England under the name of William the 1st and imposed French Language as the Court and official language.

You’ll find in British castles the famous old French words « Honny soy qui mal y pense ». Meaning  » Be dishonoured any gentleman who would not respect his Lord duties. »

King’s William successors had posessions in France, in Bordeaux, Normandy and Calais and were educated in French.

They canditated to being king of France for centuries until 1543, Hence many Franco-British battles and the « 100 years war ».

There were also many royal weddings such as Dukess Alienor of Aquitaine with the king Henry the 2nd.

And many aristocrats fleeing to Britain with their capitals in the Revolution years (1789-1797).

Therefore, British language is built on the roots of latin and Frenc languages, mixed with saxon, welsh, scottish or celtics words. You may take advantage upon it, learning French easily !

Just a few examples

Royal = royal in French

Familly = famille in French

Royal family = famille royale

Court = la Cour

Ancestors = ‘ancêtres’ in French

Forest = forêt

River = rivière

Mount or mountain = ‘mont’ or ‘montagne’

‘St-Michael’s Mount’ = Mont St-Michel

My pleasure = mon plaisir

Auteur : François P. VALLET, Conférencier, Conseil auprès des PME, groupes, start-ups, et auprès de dirigeants et collectivités.