The study of languages is quite interesting, even if you are not an expert in any linguistic-related field. Languages are alive and, as human beings, they change constantly as they are always evolving, improving, enrichening themselves with several cultural influences. But, unlike us, languages are getting always younger, as new generations modify them. In only one decade, a language can be transformed, if not substantially at least in a continuously way.

This process can take centuries to achieve a significant variation. A book written in old English could be very hard to understand now. It will indeed need the “translation” of a professional. And on the other hand, even if English is your native language, perhaps you are not aware how many words in the modern vocabulary from ancient times. 

Evolution of English language

Old English, or Anglo-Saxon as it is also known, is the oldest form of English. The original speakers of ‘English’ came from the part of Europe that is now Germany and Denmark in the form of three tribes called the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes. Old English developed into Middle English, then Early Modern English and then into the Modern English we speak today. English words from Anglo-Saxon tend to be short (either one or two syllables).

Many Old English words that are very similar to words found in Modern English. For example:

• Eald - means old
• Brodor - means brother
• Hus - means house
• Nett - means net
• Riht - means right
• Widuwe - stands for widow
• Wif - means wife

Also, several common words can be found in Old English that hold the same meaning today. For example, the following words show roots in Old English:

Hue. The word hue is used in today’s conversations in the context of colour. This hue has its roots in the old English word, híew which meant appearance. The other hue which is used in the context of creating a word imitating sounds, like hoot.

Kith. Kith and kin is commonly used in today’s language to mean friends and family. In old English vocabulary, kith actually meant knowledge or acquaintance. Over the years, the phrase kith and kin has come to mean friends and family instead of what it originally stood for – country and family.

Other examples:

• Strong
• Water
• Be
• Beam
• Yard
• Woman

Also, a lot of Old English words also were borrowed by the Germanic conquerors. For example, the following words were adapted from the Romans, Greeks and from Latin:

• Chalk - came from cealc
• Wine - came from win
• Monk - came from munuc

For translators, the History of words seems the perfect way to better understand a language in all its complexity and beauty.