What is correct about the English language?

• A. It has not been influenced by any other language.
• B. It has been largely influenced by the French language.
• C. It is purely Germanic with no other influences.
• D. It originated from Arabic.

Answer: (B)

English sits in the Germanic family, but it has been shaped by contact with other languages over a long course of history. The most influential outside influence came from French after the Norman Conquest in 1066. When Norman rulers spoke French and the courts, government, and high culture used French, English absorbed a large number of French loanwords—especially in areas like law, government, religion, education, fashion, cuisine, and everyday life. This borrowing changed vocabulary a lot and even nudged some spellings and usage patterns, while the basic grammar and core vocabulary still reflect Germanic roots.

So the statement that it has been largely influenced by French captures the central truth about English’s development more accurately than the other options, which incorrectly claim no influence, or claim it is purely Germanic, or suggest Arabic as its origin. English is best understood as a Germanic base with substantial Romance (notably French) influence from historical contact.