Old English Writing: A History of the Old English Alphabet (by GEORGE JULIAN)

 

Old English Writing: A History of the Old English Alphabet

"Can you read Old English writing? Here's a sample:

Nu scylun hergan hefaenricaes uard
metudæs maecti end his modgidanc
uerc uuldurfadur sue he uundra gihuaes
eci dryctin or astelidæ

Those are the first few lines of Cædmon's Hymn, a 7th-Century poem generally considered to be the oldest surviving work of English literature. Any idea what it means?

Me neither. Let's look at the modern translation:

Now shall we praise the Warden of Heaven-Kingdom
the might of the Measurer and his purpose
work of the Wulder-Father as he of wonders
Eternal Lord the beginning created

Separated by more than a millennium, these two texts are barely recognisable as the “same” language. Only two words appear unchanged: he and his..."

Please follow the link for more information:
Old English Writing: A History of the Old English Alphabet (fluentin3months.com)

(by GEORGE JULIAN)

GEORGE JULIANGEORGE JULIANGEORGE JULIAN