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Beowulf

Language
Exploring Anglo Saxon

The Beowulf poem was first written down in Old English, also known as Anglo Saxon. This language, in addition to French and Latin, formed the basis for the English we speak today. You may notice a lot of differences from modern English in this Anglo-Saxon text.

Student Task 1

Read the paragraph below and divide the words into three categories and type these in the boxes below:

dotwords which we use in modern English

dotwords that seem a bit like modern English but different

dotwords that are totally different to modern English

Thu ure Fæder þe eart on heofunum, Sy þin nama gehalgod. Cume þin rice, Sy þinne wille on eorðan swaswa on heofonum. Syle us todaeg urne daeghwamlican hlaf. Ond forgyf us ure gyltas, swaswa we fogyfaþ þampe with us agyltaþ. Ond ne lae thu na us on constnunge, ac alys us of yfele. Soðlice

dotwords which we use in modern English

dotwords that seem a bit like modern English but different

dotwords that are totally different to modern English

 

The Influence of Norse Culture

Student Task 2

The influence of Norse culture can be seen today in something as simple and commonplace as our days of the week. Whilst our continental neighbours used the names of Roman gods for their weekdays, most of the English names are influenced by Norse deities. Sunday and Monday come from the names of the sun and moon. Can you work out the links between these other days of the week?

Click and drag each day on the left to the Norse deity it was named after.


In order to view th activity above, you need to have the latest Flash Player installed. You can download it free here.

Finally take a look at this version, which is much closer to modern English. Even here you may find some words or grammatical structures that seem a little strange:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us of evil. Amen.