old english..........?

Question

how to distinguish the following old english words,their meaning are confusing!
1.aeftan behindan hinder ( behind?)
2.exal bog (shoulder?)
3.alor ealdor (elder?)
4.mengan blandan (mix?)
5.AEled fyr (fire?)
6. brEotan brecan (break?)



and one more
the old english word for bishop
is biscop
or bisecop ?

arrrrr.....
i do know all their meanings.......
but the meanings are so near.......
i bet there would be some difference


p.s. i know i am stupid,but please help me

Answer 1

The first problem with Old English is that you are dealing with documents from about 400 years of history and from several different dialects. I will guess that most of your material is from the West Saxon dialect, but that still covers a fair amount of time. Words change their meanings over time and are sometimes replaced by other words.

The second problem is that Old English had no standardized spelling system. While it was much easier to spell Old English in the same way because the spelling system was fresh, there were still regional differences and differences over time.

The third problem is that while we are pretty sure what most words mean in Old English, we can never be 100% sure some of the time. The subtleties of meaning between one word and another are often lost in the mists of time.

For example, the difference between aldor and ealdor, and between biscop and bisecop, is just spelling and probably reflects regional variation in pronunciation. The differences between breotan and brecan are probably subtle and lost in the mists of time. The prepositions æftan, behindan, and hinder are quite fluid as prepositions were in a state of constant change during this time period.

My advice? Don't worry too much about subtle differences in meaning.

Answer 2

1 aften = after (still used in swedish)
behindan = d'oh, behind
hinder = behind, far away (hinter is used in german)

the rest i don't know. I'm learning Lallans, a Scottish language with roots in old English, but I don't care too much for the Soothron dialects :o)

Answer 3

I thought this would be a question about cheap malt liquor! (a local brand.) :)

I just started becoming interested in Chaucer, etc. (Or is that Middle English?) I can't answer, but I'm looking forward to reading what you get.

Answer 4

Go to:
http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/ballc/oe/old_english.html

Answer 5

people on here can't even use modern English, and your talking about old English.
ground control to Maj. tong

Answer 6

biscop

Answer 7

you re very stupid