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What is Old English, and when did it begin to be used in Britain?
Old English is the language spoken and written in England before 1100 AD. It began to be used around 449 AD with the arrival of Germanic tribes.
Name three Germanic tribes that arrived in Britain and brought Old English.
Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.
How did Old English differ from the Celtic languages spoken by the Britons?
Old English was a Germanic language, significantly different from the Celtic languages spoken by the Britons.
Who was the Venerable Bede, and why is he important to the study of Old English history?
Venerable Bede (St. Bede) was an Anglo-Saxon theologian, historian, and chronologist. He is best known for his Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum ("Ecclesiastical History of the English People"), which is vital to the history of the Anglo-Saxon tribes' conversion to Christianity.
What is "futhorc," and how was it used in the Old English period?
Futhorc was the Anglo-Saxon alphabet, an extended version of Elder Futhark, used to write Old English/Anglo-Saxon and Old Frisian.
Give an example of a sound change in Old English?
"sk" changed to "sh" (e.g., "skield" to "shield").
Explain "i-mutation."
Vowel shift causing irregular plurals (foot/feet).
Describe the four main dialects of Old English.
- Northumbrian (northern England and southeastern Scotland)
- Mercian (central England)
- Kentish (southeastern England)
- West Saxon (southern and southwestern England)
How did Old English differ from Modern English in terms of word order?
Old English had a highly inflected sentence structure, which allowed for a much freer word order than we use today.
Why is Old English considered complex compared to Modern English?
Old English was highly complex due to its inflections and grammatical structures that have simplified over time in Modern English.
Who was Alfred the Great, and what was his contribution to the study and preservation of Old English?
Alfred the Great (King of Wessex, 871-899) prevented England from falling to the Danes and promoted learning and literacy. The compilation of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle began during his reign.
How did the Viking invasions affect the development of Old English?
The Vikings influenced Old English by introducing Norse words into the language and simplifying English grammar.
Explain "Danelaw."
Region under Norse control; influenced place names.
Explain the concept of "Danelaw" and its impact on the language.
The Danelaw was a region in northern and eastern England under Norse control established by a treaty in 878 AD. This period had a lasting linguistic impact that can be seen today in over 1,500 place names in northern England, which have endings like "-by" and "-thorpe."
What was the Norman Conquest, and how did it change the course of the English language?
The Norman Conquest in 1066 AD was the military conquest of England by William, duke of Normandy. French became the language of the ruling class, leading to a shift toward Middle English.
What is Beowulf, and why is it important in Old English literature?
Beowulf is the oldest surviving Germanic epic and the longest Old English poem, likely composed between 700 and 750 AD. It is considered the shining star of Old English Literature.
Give other important works of Old English poetry.
The Wanderer, The Seafarer, The Battle of Maldon, and The Dream of the Rood.
Who were Caedmon and Cynewulf, and what were their contributions to Old English literature?
Caedmon was considered the first Old English Christian poet. Cynewulf was an author of four Old English poems preserved in late 10th-century manuscripts.
What are the key manuscripts in which Old English poetic works survive?
The Exeter Book, Junius Manuscript, Vercelli Book, and the Beowulf manuscript.
What is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and why is it important to the study of English history?
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a historical record begun about the time of King Alfred's reign (871-899) and continuing for more than three centuries.
How did the phonology (sound system) of Old English differ from Modern English?
Old English had many sounds no longer in Modern English (like þ "thorn" = th in "thin"). Stress was usually on the first syllable.
What does "highly inflected" mean when referring to Old English words?
Highly inflected means nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and verbs had many endings to show case, number, gender, and tense.
Provide examples of Old English words that still exist in Modern English.
Man, wife, child, son, daughter, brother, friend, live, fight, make, use, love, like, look, drink, food, eat, sleep, sing, sun, moon, earth, ground, wood, field, house, home, people, family, horse, fish, farm, water, time, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, strong.
What special letters were used in the Old English writing system?
Special letters included: þ (thorn) and ð (eth) → th sounds, æ (ash) → vowel between a and e, ƿ (wynn) → w.
What were the influences of Latin on the vocabulary of Old English?
Many Christian and scholarly words came from Latin.