Page 29 - Alfred the Great And His Legacy

Reason Five – Father of the English Language

• Often, they are short words for everyday things. Legal language, for example,

tends to be based on Latin by contrast.

• Anglo Saxon suffixes & endings have also survived: the “hood” in childhood,

the “dom” in kingdom or wisdom, the “ness” in greatness, wellness, & fitness.

The “–ing’ words like singing, walking & running. The “-ed” words like hoped &

loved. The “s” ending for plurals like birds or the “n” ending such as children.

• As Anglo-Saxon was primarily an oral language, it used a lot of devices to help

with memory & recitation. For example, doublets like “to have & to hold”,

“kith & kin”, “odds & ends”, &“far & wide” which have a pleasing rhythm & are

very much in everyday use even to this day.