5AM TRANSLATIONS

English is a language with a rich history and global influence and that holds a myriad of fascinating secrets beneath its linguistic surface. Here are 7 intriguing facts about the English language that might surprise you:

The Letter J’s Late Entrance

The letter ‘J’ was the last addition to the English alphabet, evolving from the letter ‘I.’ Before the 17th century, the two letters were used interchangeably, especially in words like “joy” and “just.”

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is NOT the longest word

This super long and breath taking word that was popularized by the movie Mary Poppins back in 1964 is not considered the longest word in the English language. 44 letters form the word Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, which is a type of lung disease caused by inhaling ash and dust.

Shakespearean Influence

William Shakespeare, the literary maestro, not only gifted the world with timeless plays but also contributed around 1,700 words to this language. Terms like “bedroom”, “eyeball,” and “lonely” are among his linguistic creations.

The Pangram Perfection

A pangram is a sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet at least once. The well-known example “The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog” serves as a typing exercise and showcases all 26 letters.

Q Without U?

In English, the letter ‘Q’ is almost always followed by the letter ‘U.’ However, a handful of words, like “qibla” and “qigong,” break this trend. These words often originate from non-Indo-European languages.

English all over the world

English has firmly established itself as a global language. It’s the official or widely spoken language in 67 countries, making it a crucial tool for international communication, business, and diplomacy

Backward and forward

While English is not known for palindromes as much as other languages, it does boast some fun examples. “Racecar” and “level” read the same backward as forward, providing linguistic symmetry.

In conclusion, this language is a captivating tapestry woven with words from diverse origins, shaped by historical quirks, and constantly evolving. So, the next time you write, speak, or read in English, remember the hidden gems that make this language truly extraordinary.