Learn old English

I’m actually quite familiar with both Old English and Old Norse, having studied them during my undergraduate work at UT Austin, and am seeking to continue graduate studies in Historical Linguistics and Philology. The two languages are extremely similar, and English actually has a lot of influence from Old Norse, not only from being closely related languages, but the Danes and Norwegians invaded and settled England repeatedly, leaving a lot of loan words and pronunciations. The point of all this, though, is the languages and literature are extremely fun and fully worthwhile to learn. A background in Modern High German is quite useful, since it retains many words that Modern English has lost, and it does help if you can find a tutor, especially if you don’t have a background in another language with case declensions and conjugations. There are plenty of “Introduction” books out there available in libraries and bookstores (Peter S. Baker has a decent one for OE, E.V. Gordon for Old Norse), but again it also helps to have someone right there to help you along, since many translations, glosses, and edits steer away from literal meanings and can be plain wrong. Experienced Old English/Norse scholars can be found at most universities, and if they’re like me, they’d be happy to help out anyone interested in learning these wonderful languages.

I mean Old English as in the language of Beowulf. This is not a useful skill, I just find the language interesting.

i always wanted to learn old English

Mildred
Origin: Old English

Meaning: gentle counselor

(and from www.behindthename.com)
MILDRED
Gender: Feminine

Usage: English

Pronounced: MIL-dred [key]

Means “gentle strength” from the Old English elements milde “gentle” and þryð “strength”. Saint Mildred was a 7th-century abbess, the daughter of the Kentish princess Saint Ermenburga.

I know the runic alphabet pretty well, but I really want to learn Old English. I had a class in college over the history of the English Language where we barely touched on it, but I really want to learn more. I want to be able to read Beowulf in Old English and write myself notes

Loved it when I was studying it.

My sister’s boyfriend is from England. He got me started in learning Old English. He gave me many books and a great computer program to help. Already I know many words and can read and write simple sentences.

I know the runic alphabet pretty well, but I really want to learn Old English. I had a class in college over the history of the English Language where we barely touched on it, but I really want to learn more. I want to be able to read Beowulf in Old English and write myself notes – just because I’m that big a geek.

I got Pimsleur’s Russian program (the $20 version). I don’t know if I’m learning anything, but I feel like I am, which may be more important. When my girlfriend’s back in NY, we’re going to learn Irish, and I wanted to test out Pimsleur.

UPDATE: When I made this entry the item wasn’t specific about which language.