The Impact of Scandinavian Loanwords on the English Language

Abstract

This article examines the impact of Scandinavian languages on the development of English, with particular attention to the contact between Old English and Old Norse. It argues that this contact led to significant and long-lasting linguistic changes during the Viking period. These changes affected multiple levels of the language, including lexical, grammatical, and phonological structures. The study highlights how sustained language contact contributed to structural simplification and increased flexibility within the language system. Overall, Scandinavian influence is identified as a key factor in the historical evolution of English into a more analytical language. Key words: language contact, Old Norse, lexical borrowing, grammatical change, analytical language