The spelling of "Modern English" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word begins with the consonant /m/, which is pronounced by placing the lips together and then opening them with vocal cord vibration. The vowel combination /oʊ/ is pronounced with the mouth open in an "o" shape and then moving into a rounded "w" shape. The next consonant is /d/, produced by tapping the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge behind the upper teeth. Finally, the word ends with the consonant /ən/, pronounced with a neutral position of the mouth and the vocal cords vibrating.
Modern English refers to the variety of the English language used in the present time, typically starting from the late 15th century. It encompasses the period from the late Middle English period to the present day. Often considered the standard form of English language used globally, Modern English has evolved from its earlier stages with influences from various sources, including other languages, conquests, and historical events.
One of the defining characteristics of Modern English is the Great Vowel Shift that took place during the late Middle English period, resulting in the significant alteration of pronunciation and sounds. This shift led to the development of numerous dialects spoken in different regions across the world, each with its own variations and accents. However, Modern English remains relatively unified due to the widespread use of standardization and standard dialects, such as British English and American English.
Modern English encompasses a vast vocabulary, which has been continuously expanding over the centuries. New words are regularly added to the language through borrowing from other languages, invention of new terms, and morphological change. Moreover, Modern English has undergone grammatical simplification compared to its earlier stages, with the loss of inflectional endings and the simplification of verb conjugations.
As the dominant global language, Modern English is used for communication, education, business, technology, and various other purposes. It serves as a medium for international relations and acts as a common language for people of different linguistic backgrounds to communicate with each other effectively.
The word "Modern English" can be broken down into two parts: "modern" and "English".
"Modern" originates from the Latin word "modernus", which means "new" or "recent". It entered into Middle English in the late 15th century, referring to something of the present or contemporary times.
"English" comes from the Old English word "Englisc", which referred to the people of Angles, one of the several Germanic tribes that settled in England during the 5th and 6th centuries. Over time, "Englisc" evolved into "English" and became the name for the language spoken by the people of England.
So, when combined, "Modern English" refers to the contemporary version of the English language that has developed and evolved over time from its Old English roots.