The settlement of the British Isles by Northern Europeans followed by Norman French paints the backdrop to this essay which will focus on the period between the early 15th and 17th centuries, when a "standard" English has evolved. It will show that modern English is very different to that first introduced in the British Isles, but by identifying changes over time, continuity can be demonstrated. Finally, it will suggest that English today is in a similar position to that which existed before the Norman invasion, when many varieties and dialects existed, and that this may lead to its decline as a global language, due to decreasing intelligibility . The beginnings of English can be found in the occupation of England starting in the 5th century by ethnic groups from northern and western Germany who brought their "indigenous dialects" (Seargeant, P. 2012, p. 1). The Oxford English Dictionary defines English as “of or related to the West Germanic language spoken in England and used in many varieties throughout the world” (Seargeant, P. 2012, p. 7). The invasion in the 9th century by the Scandinavians, who settled in the north of England, and the establishment of the Danelaw in 886 AD which defined the area governed by the Danes in the north and east, had a marked effect on language spoken there (Beal, J. 2012, p.59). These periods are known as Early and Later Old English (Beal, J. 2012, p. 50). The Norman invasion of 1066 AD began a two-century period in which French was the official language of England, resulting in the introduction of many languages. words with French or Latin roots, such as “baron”, “justice” and “government” (Beal, J. 2012, p. 64). English was first used in Parliament in 1362 AD and gradually supplanted French (Appendix I, in Seargea...... middle of document ......14, Worlds of English, DVD ROM), Milton Keynes, The Open University .Hepworth, MD (2012), Tutorial Notes, '69214339 TMA01', Unpublished work.Leith, D. and Seargeant, P. (2012), 'A Colonial Language' in Seargeant, P. and Swann, J. (ed. ) History, diversity, change (U214, English in the World), Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 101-149.North, S. (2012), 'English a Linguistic Toolkit' (U214, Worlds of English), Milton Keynes, The Open University.Seargeant, P. (2012), 'English in the World Today' in Seargeant , P. and Swann, J (eds) History, Diversity, Change (U214, English in the World), Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 5-47.The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 'Pygmalion' at http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/SEARCH_RESULTS.html?y=0&q=pygmalion&category=t93&x=0&ssid=1093455919&scope= book&time=0.789421439261304, accessed 9 March 2012