Old English/Interjections
Introduction:
Introduction -
Grammar -
Orthography -
I-mutation
Grammar:
Nouns -
Pronouns -
Articles -
Adjectives -
Numbers -
Verbs -
Participles -
Adverbs -
Conjunctions -
Prepositions -
Interjections -
Appositives -
Word Formation -
Interjections are words used to express an emotion. The most common Old English interjections were:
- Ēa - oh
- Ēalā - lo, oh (also said when seeing someone - like an acknowledgement)
- Hƿæt - what!
- Lā （frequently used in combination with other words or interjections - see "ēalā" above) - lo
- Ƿā - misery! woe!
- Ƿel, ƿel - 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
- Hƿæt lā is þæt? - Whatever is that?
- He is lā ƿel 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 above). Also, one could use the interjection "ƿālā" or "ƿālāƿā" to express sorrow or regret - approximately equivalent of "sorry".