Yo Bri....

[MinkSoul]

Hi...


well, i haven't found an Olde (Middle) English dictionary on-line yet, but i found the next best thing:


http://www.litrix.com/canterby/cante001.htm#1


there are a number of Chaucer sites but i liked this one.

i don't know if you've been there so i thought i'd share it with you...

 

[DarlingBri]

Yo Mink...

Thank you for thinking of me, I always like those types of links!

Ta, Mink

 

[MinkSoul]

Your welcome...

when i find an on-line dictionary i'll let you know...

 

[p_p_man]

Chaucer and all that...

THE NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE OF THE COCK AND HEN, CHANTICLEER AND PERTELOTE
A widow poor, somewhat advanced in age,
Lived, on a time, within a small cottage

Many moons ago I had to learn the tale of Chauntecleer and Pertelote by heart as part of an examination. I've now forgotten it all except for the two (anglicised) lines shown above.

If memory serves me the original form goes something like this:

"A povre widwe somdeel stop in age [phonetic-arja]
was willhom dwellin in a stiep cottage [phon-cottarja]

As you can see there is a difference between the modern version and the middle english version of Chaucer's day. Not least in the pronounciation. It was a mixture of old French and Anglo-Saxon."

I won't even ask why you're looking for a middle english dictionary. The mind boggles. <goes back to drinking his whisky>

 

[DarlingBri]

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're getting at. The man lived in the 14th Century. He spoke French, Latin, and what we now call Middle English. If you want to read Chaucer in the original, an appropriate dictionary may be required. At least, I find that it is.

 

[Cyan BloodsBane]

Not really.. you just need to see beyond the words.. and into what is around it...

 

[DarlingBri]

Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth

Sorry, call me stupid, but I require a dictionary for three of those words to get an accurate reading.

 

[Cheyenne]

Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth

Sorry, call me stupid, but I require a dictionary for three of those words to get an accurate reading.

eeeekkkkkkk! Part of that damned prologue I had to memorize and recite!
*runs from the thread screaming....oh, the bad, bad memories!*

 

[MinkSoul]

too bad...

i enjoyed learning The Canterbury Tales....

and Yes, i had to memorize the prologue...

i liked the way the words sounded and felt...

i just wish i could remember what they mean...

 

[DarlingBri]

http://www.canterburytales.org/canterbury_tales.html

If you choose an "interpolated" on "Enface" option, you can read the translation right below, so you'll know what it means. Cool, eh?

 

[MinkSoul]

Hmmm.... i Like that...

Thank You Bri...

 

[DarlingBri]

You are most welcome

 

[p_p_man]

Oh I see...

Now that I know there is such a thing as "interpolated" on "Enface" I too understand why you are looking for a dictionary. I thought you were going to translate the bloody thing word for word. <vows to give up whisky and go onto something gentler like rum and makes a mental note to look up "interpolated" in appropriate dictionary>