Futhorc; a crash course in Old English

In St Andrews, the oldest studied texts of English literature aren’t Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales or Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, but Old English riddles; riddles written by to us unknown authors in the 10th century, which provides us with a unique insight into medieval culture. In order to read them, however, one needs to know at least the basics of Old English, a language that has almost nothing in common with modern English.

Some words are very similar, for example treow (tree) or stan (stone). Others are impossible to deduce, examples being hygewlonc (proud) and wincel (corner). Moreover, words are bound together by conjugation, syntax is of no relevance. To translate a riddle of 15 lines - and figure out its correct solution - can therefore take hours. Even better is then the feeling of solving a 1000 years old text and realise that our values are not fundamentally different from medieval ones. The riddles are concerned with family, faith, sex.

Originally, Old English texts were written in rune alphabet (as shown below) called ‘futhorc’, after the first 6 characters. Let the proof of teaching quality in St Andrews be the fact that Dr Jones taught futhorc by playing a song on pink ukulele. If there is a lecture I will never forget, it is this one.

The study of Old English is, within my degree, compulsory in St Andrews. At first I was hesitant, thinking that I would rather read Renaissance texts, the Romantics, or Modernist literature. However, I learned more in two months than I normally do in a year. That’s when I realised the university is introducing me to topics I am interested in, sometimes I just don’t know it yet. On the other hand, I am certain I will not carry on in my study of Old English. My main literary interests are different.

I want to finish off by turning to more specific changes this school year brought about. In few weeks time, our dance team will compete in Nottingham. Representing our university are 12 dance couples, the main dances being waltz, quickstep, cha cha and jive. Also, I newly have an internship at Amnesty International Czech Republic, where I am helping with copywriting of human right campaigns. The main topic right now are Women Human Rights Defenders from all over the world. Lastly, me and my three housemates moved from halls to a house we are gradually settling in. We are trying to maintain a full fridge and we’re friends with the local postman. Despite all the changes in my life, St Andrews remains static. Middle-aged men still wear their tweed blazers. Children still play hide-and-seek among the ruins. And I am going to the library to borrow some books.

Futhorc; rychlokurz staroangličtiny

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