Embarking on a journey to Learn Old English opens a fascinating window into the linguistic roots of modern English and the rich history of Anglo-Saxon England. While seemingly distant from contemporary speech, Old English, the language spoken in England roughly from 450 to 1150 AD, offers a unique connection to our linguistic past. Resources like the “Learn Old English with Leofwin” book provide an accessible entry point for those curious about this ancient tongue, particularly appealing to younger learners and individuals without prior linguistic training.
Discovering Basic Old English Phrases with Leofwin
“Learn Old English with Leofwin,” published by Anglo-Saxon Books, serves as a valuable resource for beginners. This teach-yourself book simplifies the complexities of Old English, making it approachable for newcomers. Accompanying audio resources further enhance the learning experience by providing correct pronunciation and intonation, crucial for understanding and speaking any language, including Old English.
Here are some fundamental phrases you can begin with, as featured in resources like “Learn Old English with Leofwin”:
-
Greetings:
- Ēala! – Hello! (A general greeting)
- Gōdne dæg – Good day (Formal and common)
- Wes ðu hāl / Westu hal – Be well (to one person, informal “hello/goodbye”)
- Wesað gē hāle – Be well (to more than one person, informal “hello/goodbye”)
- Gōdne mergen – Good morning
- Gōd æfen – Good evening
- Gōd niht – Good night
- Welcumen – Welcome
- Ic grēte ðē – I greet you (formal greeting to one person)
- Ic grēte ēow ealle – I greet you all (formal greeting to multiple people)
-
Everyday Interactions:
- Hu gǣð hit? – How goes it? (How are you?)
- Hit gǣð wel – It goes well (I am well)
- Glæd ðē tō mētenne – Glad to meet you
- Gōd ðē mid sie – God be with you (Goodbye – singular, origin of “goodbye”)
- Fer þū wel / Ferað gē wel – Farewell (Goodbye – singular / plural)
- Gēa, gīese – Yes
- Nā, nese – No
- Sōð – True
-
Polite Expressions:
- Ic bidde ðē – Please (I pray thee)
- Ic sārie – I’m sorry
- Ic ðoncie ðē – Thank you
- Forgief mē – Forgive me
-
Basic Questions:
- Hwæt is ðis ? – What’s this?
- Saga ðæt eft – Say that again
- Hwæt hāteð ðis? – What’s this called?
- Hū eald eart þu? – How old are you?
- Hwǣr eardest ðu? – Where do you live?
- Hu hātest ðu? – What’s your name?
- Mōt ic … – May I …
- Hwǣr is… ? þǣr biþ – Where is…? there is…
-
Personal Statements:
- Ic wāt – I know
- Ic nāt – I don’t know
- Mīn gebyrdtid biþ… – My birthday is…
- Ic eom eahta gēar eald / Ic eom eahta wintra – I’m eight years old (years/winters)
- Lā! – Look! (exclamation)
- Ic wolde… – I’d like…
- Wilt ðu… – Do you want to…
- Ic eardie on Prittewella – I live in Prittlewell (example location)
- Mīn nama is Brada / Ic hāte Brada – My name is Brada / I am called Brada (examples)
- Ic eom Godweardes scop – I’m Godweard’s singer (example profession/affiliation)
- Ic lufie … / … licað mē – I love … / I like…
- .. ne licað mē / ic hatie .. – I don’t like… / I hate..
- Ic lyste bet… – I prefer
Expanding Your Old English Vocabulary and Pronunciation
Learning these basic phrases is just the beginning. Resources like “Learn Old English with Leofwin” often include illustrated handouts and audio files to aid in pronunciation and memorization. Listening to spoken Old English, even in basic phrases, is crucial for grasping the sounds and rhythm of the language. While the Anglo-Saxon Books website may be currently unavailable, archives of audio files for learning resources can often be found online through fan sites or educational repositories dedicated to Old English.
Starting with these fundamental building blocks will provide a solid foundation for further exploration into the fascinating world of Old English. As you progress, you’ll begin to recognize the origins of many modern English words and gain a deeper appreciation for the historical evolution of the English language.
