Lost Medieval English Pronouns: Exploring 'Wit' and the Dual Form for Intimacy
By
eigenspace
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
The article explores lost medieval English pronouns, particularly the dual form 'wit' meaning 'we two' in Old English, which was used to describe intimacy between exactly two people. It discusses how English has become simplified over centuries, losing these nuanced pronouns that captured unique aspects of relationships and 'two-ness' in medieval thought. The piece examines how social and political changes led to the disappearance of these linguistic forms that once expressed specific types of intimacy and connection.
Key quotes
· 4 pulled'Wit' means 'we two' in Old English, a Germanic language spoken in England until about the 12th Century, which evolved into the English we speak today.
This term, once also used affectionately to describe the closeness between two people, is one of many personal pronouns that have been lost or transformed amid huge social and political change over the centuries.
The English language has become simplified – but at times this has left gaps, creating confusion.
They capture something unique about how people once thought about 'two-ness'.
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