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A Guide to Old English has established itself as the most thorough and most stimulating introduction to the language of Anglo-Saxon England. This revised edition adds ten basic texts, together with full notes and a comprehensive glossary, which convert the Guide into a self-contained course book for students beginning a study of Old English. The texts, such as Cynewulf and Cyneheard, the story of Caedmon and the conversion of Edwin, are those that have traditionally been chosen by teachers precisely becasue they offer the best introduction to the literature and culture of the time. They are arranged in order of increasing difficulty. The notes and glossary constantly refer to the grammatical explanations in the Guide, so that course is fully integrated and easy to follow.… (more)
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So a quick history lesson.
1st century: Romans came to Britannia and subjugated Celts:
-> Romans left minimal impact on the language and left at end of 4th century CE.
4th-5th century, Roman Empire collapses:
-> Latin becomes
6th century: Saxons invade and exterminated the Celts (Except for Wales/Cornwall):
-> Language of Brittania becomes Saxon
8th century: Vikings started raiding and eventually invade:
-> Major influence of Norse words on English language
11th century Normans (Viking/French tribe) invade:
Upper classes use French until the 15th century, then revert to English. Impact on the language is less than Vikings.
17th Century +: Britain becomes major trading empire:
-> Influence on the language from all corners of the earth - Amerindian, European, African, Indian, and East Asia.
Learning Old English is fine if you like that kind of thing. But there is no justification for learning it over say - ancient Norse. It is a dead language. Let it be so for the majority. Of course, Norman French had a greater major impact on the English language as we know it today, far greater I would argue than influence of Norse words on English. Contrast Chaucer with Beowulf. I can read and more or less understand Chaucer littered with words of French origin but the Anglo Saxon English of Beowulf? Not a chance.