The term “call” comes from the Old English word “ceallian,” which means “to cry out” or “to summon.” Here’s a detailed chronological breakdown:
1. Proto-Indo-European (PIE)
The PIE root “gal-” or “kel-” means “to call” or “to cry out.”
2. Proto-Germanic
From the PIE root, the Proto-Germanic word “*kallōn” developed, meaning “to call” or “to shout.”
3. Old English (c. 5th to 11th century CE)
The term “ceallian” in Old English was used to describe the act of crying out, summoning, or calling.
4. Middle English (c. 11th to 15th century CE)
The Old English “ceallian” evolved into Middle English “callen,” maintaining the meaning of “to cry out” or “to summon.”
5. Modern English (from 15th century CE to present)
The term “call” evolved into its current form and pronunciation, referring to the act of summoning someone by name, making a telephone call, or uttering a loud cry.
The word “call” reflects the concept of vocal communication, used for summoning, notifying, or reaching out to someone. Its usage has expanded over time to include making telephone calls and other forms of communication, highlighting the importance of calling in various contexts of interaction and connectivity.