Anglo-Frisian languages facts for kids

The Anglo-Frisian languages are a group of West Germanic languages. They include English (also called Anglic) and Frisian. These languages are special because they changed in certain ways that other West Germanic languages did not.

For a long time, people thought of Germanic languages as being split into Anglo-Frisian languages and other Germanic languages, like German.

What are Anglo-Frisian Languages?

Anglo-Frisian languages are a family of languages that share a common history. They developed from older languages spoken by groups like the Angles, Saxons, and Frisians. These groups moved from areas around the North Sea to Britain and other places.

How They Are Different

One key thing that makes Anglo-Frisian languages stand out is a series of "sound changes." This means that certain sounds in the older language changed in a specific way only in these languages. For example, some 'k' sounds became 'ch' sounds in English, but not in German.

English and Frisian

• English: This is the most widely spoken Anglo-Frisian language today. It grew from the languages brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxons.
• Frisian: This language is spoken by people in parts of the Netherlands and Germany. It is actually the closest living relative to English. If you know English, you might find some Frisian words sound familiar!

The North Sea Germanic Idea

Since the 1960s, many language experts have a different idea. They believe there was an even older language called North Sea Germanic. This ancient language was the ancestor of all Anglo-Frisian languages. It also included some other languages spoken around the North Sea. This idea helps us understand how these languages are connected.

See also

In Spanish: Lenguas anglofrisias para niños