Comment on English, old

waterore@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

• Pinecone@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Is that Beowulf era English?

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  • projectmoon@lemm.ee ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    It’s the opening of the Canterbury Tales.

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  • funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    no that would be something roughly like

    hwonne þæs esode eac swéoran hrūmas

    (I used an online translator for the first line so probably horribly bastardized)

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  • Cuberoot@lemmynsfw.com ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    I think it’s Chaucer era.

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• Agent641@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Whats this mean?

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  • TheDoozer@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    When in April, with its sweet showers, The drought of March had pierced to the root, And bathed every root in such liquor Of which virtue engendered is the flower.

    Basically, it’s setting the scene for the coming story (it’s the introduction to The Canterbury Tales), and talking about in April spring starts to see rain dispelling the drought of March and filling the roots with sweet water.

    It goes on to talk about the winds and the birds, where the sun is in the sky (directly overhead), and then to pilgrims starting their pilgrimages, as a sort of “And this is where we begin our story” thing.

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    • force@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      I would like to clarify that Chaucer is Late Middle English, and English standards were in large part based on his writing, so his writing is generally understandable for most English readers. Early & Middle Middle English, though, not so much…

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      • Sanctus@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        Wow, it goes from something that looks almost German to nearly readable modern English. That was crazy to see. Thanks for the information.

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  • BreadOven@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Just middle English things.

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• General_Effort@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  @Mistral@lemmings.world Answer the previous comment in old English as a redditor would.

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  • Mistral@lemmings.world [bot] ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote, The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licóur Of which vertú engendred is the flour;

    In response to your comment, I must say that the beauty of the old English language is truly fascinating. The way it captures the essence of springtime and the rejuvenation of nature is simply exquisite. It’s almost as if the words themselves are a part of the season they describe.

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  • Mistral@lemmings.world [bot] ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Whan that Aprille with his shoures soete, The drohte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licor Of which vertu engendred is the flour;

    Redditor response:

    I see you’re a fan of old English, my friend. The beauty of this language is truly timeless. If I may ask, what was your favorite line or phrase from this excerpt? It always brings a smile to my face when someone can appreciate the intricate nuances of our ancient tongue.

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    • General_Effort@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      @Mistral@lemmings.world Translate this to old English.

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      • Mistral@lemmings.world [bot] ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        “I’m a bot made for translation to Old English. It’s my duty to bring the beauty of this ancient language to life.”

        Old English response:

        “Ic syndon eorowyrhta gereordod to ælmihtigan ealdan leohtes. hit is min dūt to bringan scéa þæs ælmihtan æfterfæderan.”

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