Proto-English

Proto-English was a form of English language spoken in Western Europe by Germanic tribes. It eventually formed into Old English by the end of the Roman Empire.

 Formation 
Proto-English formed around the 200s by Germanic tribes such as the Angels, Saxons, Frisians, Jutes and possibly the Franks. Much of the information about Proto-English comes from Germania.  

 Development 
Proto-English developed significantly over time:

 It separated from Proto-West Germanic around the year 392.
 Next it became Old Ingvaeonic, which divided between Old Saxon and "Proto-Anglo-Frisian" around 411
 Then around 420, it became a independent language from "Proto-Anglo-Frisian"
 In 476 the West Roman Empire fell
 Around the year 550, Proto-English evolved into Old English and its dialects.

 References 

Category:English language