Was Thomas Jefferson the worst Old English enthusiast ever? Contractually, I'm not allowed to say "yes" but

Graham Scheper@grahamscheper.bsky.social · 6d ago

Thomas Jefferson might rightly be considered the first American Old English scholar … and also the worst. Check out today’s video on the bizarre things he had to say about the language: youtu.be/1a2wqLExfbE?...

Thomas Jefferson might rightly be considered the first American Old English scholar … and also the worst. Check out today’s video on the bizarre things he had to say about the language: youtu.be/1a2wqLExfbE?...

Smart person listening to the first ever recitation of Beowulf: “Umm, that’s not at all what armor would have looked like in fifth-century Sweden”

It’s so nice to see someone translating “rād” as “riding or journeying” and not “road.” Tolkien’s vengeance is coming!!

Hana Videen@hanavideen.bsky.social · last wk.

Also I was trying to think what the Old English equivalent for “jet lag” would be and I think I’ve found it…

The Carthusian monk Richard Methley occasionally got so excited while composing his meditations on Christ that he would just start writing Jesus’s name over and over again. “O Jesu! Jesu Jesu Jesu Jesu Jesu Jesu Jesu Jesu!” Bedroom of the beloved Beloved, 21 trans. Barbara Newman:

In speech, Cicero says that "magis offendit nimium quam parum." That is: 'too much is worse than not enough.' Seneca as well: "non minus magnam virtutem esse scire desinere quam scire dicere." That is: 'knowing how to stop is just as important a skill as knowing how to talk.'

Question I've been wondering lately: is there a particular American writer that sets the standard for modern American English? Do we have our own version of Cicero? I'd love any recommendations people would be kind enough to give. For myself, I've always loved the prose style of R.D. Fulk.

Cicero’s Crassus describing glossophobia: “in me ipso experior ut exalbescam in principiis dicendi, et tota mente atque omnibus artubus contremiscam.” “I experience it myself; I turn white at the beginning of a speech, and begin shaking throughout my mind and in every limb.”

Would you pass an Old English exam from 1920? In today’s video, I put myself to the test by taking the practice exam that Tolkien sent to an inquiring Somerville student, as she studied for the end of her school year. Check it out here: youtu.be/KCaBBSNDhRA?...

Taking a 1920s Oxford Old English Exam

YouTube video by Graham Scheper

youtu.be

In her preface to George Hickes, Elstob writes of those who treat Old English as a "barren" and "barbarous" language: "these gentlemens ill treatment of our mother tongue has led me into a stile not so agreeable to the mildness of our sex." !!!

Graham Scheper@grahamscheper.bsky.social · 4w ago

The first ever Old English grammar (in English) was published by Elizabeth Elstob, in 1715. She dedicated it to Caroline of Ansbach (then Princess of Wales). In particular, Elstob hoped that Caroline would appreciate the 'Saxon' connection between England and her German-speaking homeland.

The first ever Old English grammar (in English) was published by Elizabeth Elstob, in 1715. She dedicated it to Caroline of Ansbach (then Princess of Wales). In particular, Elstob hoped that Caroline would appreciate the 'Saxon' connection between England and her German-speaking homeland.

Norway vs. England 1000 years ago: a World Cup faceoff in Old Norse and Old English between Erling Alfs-Yngvason of Rogaland and Hereweald “Harry” Cana. Longer version with our commentary on @grahamscheper.bsky.social’s Youtube: m.youtube.com/watch?v=dwWj...

Whoever constructed the entry for 'hwæt' in the DOE deserves a lot of credit. The amount of time and research that went into carefully assigning interpretations for such a controversial word cannot have been easy. Such an amazing resource already. (but let's update the hranrād entry 😉)

Mutual intelligibility babes 💅

Graham Scheper@grahamscheper.bsky.social · 4w ago

To celebrate the impending match between England and Norway, @norsebysw.bsky.social and I got together to test the intelligibility of 11th century English and Norwegian. We also had a bit of fun boasting in our respective languages 😏 check it out here: youtu.be/dwWjL9nBgcI?...

To celebrate the impending match between England and Norway, @norsebysw.bsky.social and I got together to test the intelligibility of 11th century English and Norwegian. We also had a bit of fun boasting in our respective languages 😏 check it out here: youtu.be/dwWjL9nBgcI?...

A Conversation in 11th century English and Norwegian

YouTube video by Graham Scheper

youtu.be

The Old English word for 'duel' was ānwīġ, which literally meant 'singular war.' To challenge someone to a duel was ānwīġes biddan or ānwīġ ġecweðan; here is an example from Orosius: Hē ðā Brutus ġecwæð ānwīġ wið þone cyning. Brutus then challenged the king [Tarquin] to a duel.

What did the early medieval English think about hell? About guardian angels? About wizards? I talk about these topics and more in today’s interview with UVA’s @phil-lol-ogist.bsky.social on his recent book about medieval apocrypha. Check it out ⬇️

So excited to announce that my first ever book will be coming out this year: a selection of Bede’s works, in facing-page translation! The goal is to provide a holistic image of Bede and his life’s work, accessible to a wide range of readers, from casual learners to students of Latin.

Wilhelm Müller’s ‘Rückblick’ poem has the line “da war’s geschen um dich, Gesell!” My Gen Z heart is warmed to know that even 19th century German lyric poets were saying “it’s over for you, bro”

Thrilled to hear this afternoon that my article on medieval women interacting with English government in Ireland is now live at Speculum! It was all due to the resources @virtualtreasury.bsky.social 50 people can access it for free here: www.journals.uchicago.edu/eprint/VCYQU...

It took a long time for 'pride' (OE prȳde) to be settled as the English equivalent to Latin 'superbia' (i.e., the deadly sin). Other early contenders were oferhyġd (would have become *overhide), ofermōd (would have been *overmood), and mōdiġnes (survives as 'moodiness').

The fact that Aldhelm expected the dedicatees of “de Virginitate” to be able to read the poem, when modern students struggle immensely with it (with the help of modern dictionaries), speaks to the truly impressive level of Latin learning achieved by some of these pre-viking nuns and monks.

Seventh-century English monks who drank to the point of throwing up were to fast for 30 days; so say the canons associated with Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury (602-690). ... unleeesssss it happened on a feast day; then you're excused (and maybe even encouraged to do so?)

“Ceolfrith, self-styled in his dedication page as ‘abbot from the ends of the earth’, intended the Amiatinus Bible to proclaim to Rome his people’s contribution to the apostolic mission, worthy of the Church Fathers.” Michelle P. Brown, on the Codex Amiatinus

My book Tolkien and the Great War changed how people look at the creation of Middle-earth. Now my Oxford doctoral project will transform the way we look at his epic masterpiece The Lord of the Rings. Here’s why … and how you can help. Please share! tinyurl.com/lotr-tides #tolkien #lotr #ww2 #DDay

How the tides of Tolkien’s world shaped The Lord of the Rings

Eighty years ago the Allies invaded France… and Frodo reached Mordor. Now I'm starting the first doctoral project to address how 20th-century war inspired Tolkien's epic.

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I'm not sure how much I'll use this account, but I at least want to be here. Salvete omnes and wesaþ ge hale!