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Questions and Answers
Which Old English dialect is often grouped together with Northumbrian as the Anglian dialects?
During which century did the first great period of literary activity in Old English occur?
How many genders did Old English have in the noun and adjective?
Which Old English verbs are sometimes referred to as irregular verbs in contemporary grammars?
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How many cases were nouns and adjectives inflected for in Old English?
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Study Notes
Old English Dialects
- Four dialects of Old English exist: Northumbrian, Mercian, Kentish, and West Saxon.
- Northumbrian is spoken in northern England and southeastern Scotland.
- Mercian is spoken in central England.
- Kentish is spoken in southeastern England.
- West Saxon is spoken in southern and southwestern England.
- Mercian and Northumbrian are often classified as Anglian dialects.
Old English Language Features
- Old English has three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter.
- Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives are inflected for case.
- Noun and adjective paradigms contain four cases: nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative.
- Pronouns also have forms for the instrumental case.
- Old English has a higher proportion of strong verbs compared to Modern English.
- Strong verbs in Old English often become weak verbs in Modern English.
- Examples of verb changes: Old English helpan (infinitive), healp (past singular), hulpon (past plural), holpen (past participle) versus Modern English help, helped, helped, helped, respectively.
Literary Activity
- The first great period of literary activity occurred during the reign of King Alfred the Great in the 9th century.
- Most surviving Old English writings are in the West Saxon dialect.
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Description
Learn about the four dialects of the Old English language: Northumbrian, Mercian, Kentish, and West Saxon. Understand their regional distinctions and historical significance, including the literary activities during King Alfred the Great's reign.
