Here's why:
* Roots: English evolved from Old English, a Germanic language spoken in England from roughly the 5th to 12th centuries.
* Vocabulary: While English has borrowed extensively from Latin (and French, which itself is Latin-based), the core vocabulary, grammar, and structure are Germanic in origin.
* Grammar: English uses a subject-verb-object word order, which is typical of Germanic languages. Latin, on the other hand, typically uses a subject-object-verb order.
However, it's important to note:
* Latin Influence: English has a significant amount of Latin-derived vocabulary, particularly in academic, legal, and scientific fields. This is due to the influence of Norman French (Latin-based) after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
* Hybrid Nature: English is considered a hybrid language. While primarily Germanic, it has been heavily influenced by Latin and other languages, making it unique and complex.
So, while English is primarily Germanic, it also has strong Latin influences, making it a fascinating mix of both language families.