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The most prominent British Language is English. The English language in Britain is basically the West Germanic language. It has assumed its present form after centuries of assimilation and appropriations of diverse influences. The Latin, Scandinavian and Norman languages have been the most decisive influences that shaped the language of English. Modern English is very different from the Anglo-Saxon language, that is often referred to as 'Old English'. The English, as we have it today, has developed largely after the Norman influences that were imported in the country after the Norman conquest of 1066. The years of colonization have brought English in touch with a number of other ethnic linguistic groups, which have also exerted noticeable influences on the English tongue.
Britsh languages include English as spoken in Scotland and Wales as well. The Scottish language shares much in common with English. However, there are many words and phrases, as well as constructions that are exclusive to Scotland. Welsh is the language most commonly spoken in Wales. Although it shares a lot with English, yet the Celtic influences can be strongly felt in this language.
The native speakers of British language were estimated to be around 402 million people in the year 2002. In Britain, the inhabitants of different parts of the country have their own way of speaking the language. The accent in Yorkshire sound very unlike to that of the people of Surrey. The Somerset accent is also different from the Scottish accent. Similarly, the people from Birmingham speak the same language in a complete different way as the Cornwall's inhabitants do. The accent in which they speak English of Britain, identify them of their original place.
The well-known dialects of Tyneside, Liverpool and London are Geordie, Scouse, and Cockney respectively. However, there is a standard accent of this language, considering London to be the pivot. The 'home countries', which are nearest to London, speak British Language in an accent referred to as Standard English.
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