The Truth About English’s German Roots

In this episode of the Airlearn Language Show, we uncover the surprising truth about English’s German roots. Is English really just broken German?
From the arrival of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes in the 5th century to the Norman invasion of 1066, we trace how German gave English its backbone — words like house, water, hand, and mother — while French and Latin layered on prestige and elegance.

We’ll explore why 70% of the most common English words are Germanic, how French “crashed the party” and reshaped English vocabulary, and why casual English still feels Germanic while formal English sounds French.
Along the way, you’ll see how English evolved into a global hybrid — German at its core, dressed in French, accessorized with Latin, and sprinkled with words from every corner of the world.

Is English just broken German — or the ultimate remix? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Chapters
Intro
English’s German DNA
Where It All Began
English vs German: The Core DNA
When French Crashed the Party
Is English Broken German?
How This Shapes the Way You Speak
The Global Hybrid of English
Conclusion

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