What time period is defined as Old English?

The time period defined as Old English is from 449 AD to 1066 AD. This era marks the earliest stage of the English language, beginning with the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in England and continuing until the Norman Conquest. Old English was heavily influenced by the Germanic languages spoken by these tribes, leading to a distinct linguistic development characterized by its own grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.

Understanding the significance of this period is crucial in the study of the evolution of the English language, as it sets the foundation for the subsequent stages that followed, namely Middle English and eventually Modern English. The period saw the production of important literary works, such as "Beowulf," which illustrates the language's structure and cultural context. The limitations of the other time frames provided demonstrate that they do not encapsulate the correct beginning and end of the Old English period as established in linguistic studies.