Proto-Germanic: The Foundation of English Core Vocabulary
Proto-Germanic, spoken around 500 BCE, is the ancestor of English, German, Dutch, and Scandinavian languages. It contributed 2,083 words to English—our most basic, everyday vocabulary.
Core Vocabulary
Proto-Germanic gives us essential words: "water," "mother," "father," "hand," "foot," "day," "night." The words we learn first.
Grimm's Law
Systematic sound changes explain why English "father" corresponds to Latin "pater"—the Germanic consonant shift.
Germanic Identity
Despite Latin and French influence, English remains fundamentally Germanic in its core structure and most common words.
Featured Words
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Conclusion
Proto-Germanic words form the heart of English. Learn these 2,083 words and you understand why English is a Germanic language.
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