Apart from the Angles and their Germanic language, early English was heavily influenced by Latin (through the Roman Catholic Church) and French (from the 11th-13th century occupation of England by the Normans. These influences were so profound that that modern English could be regarded as a Latinized, Frenchified dialect of Old German (an over-simplification, of course) to which it bears some resemblance.
The Germanic roots of English are evident in the many words that are virtually the same in both modern tongues (cognates like wind and word [Wort]). In their grammatical structure, however, there is much greater difference between German’s complicated grammar, which relies much more on noun declensions, for example, and English syntax, which relies on word order for many of the same purposes.
The Latin influence on English gave the developing language a richer vocabulary, and, since the monasteries were centers of literacy and learning, today the learned among us tend to use a lot of words with Latin roots, while the less educated speak “plain” (Anglo-Saxon derived) English. The sciences and fine arts employ a great deal of terminology that comes from the language of the Church, in which all learned discourse was conducted (both words come from Latin).
The French nobility brought with them many words that remain in our language—so many that French is widely regarded in English speaking countries as the language of refinement and high culture. From fine cuisine to what’s in vogue (both words French in origin), this strong French influence is evident today.
When the British Empire spread English around the globe, its language had already taken its modern form, and dialects spoken in America, Canada, and Australia are all variants of “the king’s English” comprehensible to all native Anglophones. Our modern language was born and raised in England. That’s why it’s called English.
https://www.quora.com/Should-the-English-language-still-be-called-English
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