Old English/Interjections

Interjections are words used to express an emotion. The most common Old English interjections were:

• Ēa - oh
• Ēala - lo, oh
• Hwæt - what!
• Lā （frequently used in combination with other words or interjections) - lo
• Wā - woe!, misery!
• Wel, wel - well, well

Oh particular interest is the interjection "lā", which could be used in the middle of a sentence to emphasize almost anything being said, including statements, questions, requests, and commands. For example:

• Cum lā! - Come on!
• Ġief mē þā bōc lā - Please give me the book
• Saga lā þætte þū þenċest - Do say what you're thinking
• Hwæt lā is þæt? - Whatever is that?
• He is lā wel grēat - He is indeed tall

They didn't really have exact equivalents for short words for "please" and "sorry" in Old English, but "lā" could at a pinch be used in a request for "please" (see abbove). Also, one could use the interjection "wālā" or "wālāwā" to express sorrow or regret - approximately equivalent of "sorry".