Did the Anglo-Saxons Speak a Language Other than Old English?
The transition to Old English began when the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes began to invade Britain around 450 AD. This marked the beginning of the end for Celtic languages and the rise of what we now recognize as English. It's an intriguing journey to explore and understand the origins and evolution of this rich language.
The Origins of English
English is not a Celtic language, but one that traces its roots to Latin, German, and through our Viking ancestors, to Scandinavian languages such as Swedish and Norwegian. English has always been a dynamic and evolving language that borrows words from other languages with ease. This flexibility and adaptability have made it one of the most spoken languages in the world today.
The Language of the Anglo-Saxons
Yes, the Anglo-Saxons spoke a language known as Anglo-Saxon, which significantly differed from what we refer to as Old English. This language is named after the tribal identity of the Angles and Saxons in Anglia and Saxony, now located in Northern Germany. The language used by the Anglo-Saxons had a unique character and was widespread throughout their settlements.
Historical Writings and Linguistic Evidence
Historical records, such as Hiberno-Latin writings from Irish monks, provide valuable insights into the linguistic landscape of the time. An example is an Irish High King called Muiredach who had a British and Irish brother named Waegdaeg Saxon. This name, Waegdaeg Saxon, suggests early forms of the Germanic language that would later evolve into Old English.
Regional Dialects of Anglo-Saxon
During the Anglo-Saxon period, there were notable dialectic variations. For instance, the word for "call" varied between dialects such as the Anglian "arun" and the Mercian " sind or sido." The dialect of the Jutes, primarily centered around Kent, had unique linguistic traits. For example, the sounds 'f' and 's' at the start of words changed to 'v' and 'z'. An example of this can be seen in the snippet from 'Dan of Northgate,' where 'zenne' is used instead of 'sine'.
The dialect we speak today is Mercian. In both Northumbrian and West Saxon, the words for 'day' and 'we' were pronounced differently. However, in Mercian, these words were 'de' and 'we.' This difference is attributed to the brief period when King Offa of Mercia ruled most of England, excluding Northumbria.
The Proto-Germanic Influence
The Germanic languages originated in Southern Scandinavia around 400 BC. Over time, these languages spread southward across present-day Northern Germany, leading to further sub-classifications into North Germanic, West Germanic, and East Germanic languages. The East Germanic languages are now extinct, while the North Germanic branch comprises the languages spoken in the Nordic countries today.
Both German and English are West Germanic languages. Before the Germanic invasion of Britain during the 5th to 7th centuries AD, what we now know as German and English were either the same language or were in an earlier stage of development. Geographic isolation following the invasion led to the divergence of the language spoken on the continent and that spoken in Britain.
The evolution of languages is a fascinating and complex topic that continues to be a subject of study. Understanding the roots and development of Old English provides valuable insights into the history and evolution of modern English.