Post by jeannerené on Jun 5, 2008 21:25:25 GMT -8
We have many Renaissance festivals in the U.S.
This one is in Maryland. I found the site interesting and enjoyed reading the Glossary, found in the link below.
www.friendsofmdrf.org/ENJOY/renspeak.html
Ren Speak
Part of the fun of becoming a "Playtron" at MDRF is to learn the language spoken within Revel Grove. Folks who speak this language refer to it as Basic Faire Accent (BFA) or as we refer to it her, Ren Speak.
Ren Speak is something you should gradually learn. If the MDRF bug has bitten you, then you've probably already started to collect books and movies about the Renaissance just for garb ideas! Watch those movies and read those books and try to speak aloud those Elizabethan phrases and then listen to how the castmembers of MDRF interract. With a little practice, you'll be speaking Ren Speak like a pro!
Glossary of Terms
Below is an alphabetical listing of terms used at The Maryland Renaissance Festival and admittingly is a growing list. If you buy chance see a word or phrase used often at the faire that is medieval/gaelic/renaissance/elizabethan, please email Sir Black Fox and he'll add it to this page.
Please note that these words and terms were pulled from several sites on the internet (sources listed at the bottom of this page), from experienced playtrons, books, magazines, and a few movies! Some of these terms refer to just MDRF and others are general RenFaire vocabulary.
A
A.F.R. - The online newsgroup alt.fairs.renaissance which was the first online place for Ren Folks to meet.
Ale - Beer!
Anon - RenSpeak for "Goodbye," See you later," or "Until we meet again"
Apothecary - A Druggist or someone who provided some slight medical treatment (not to be confused with a Barber who also performed Surgery) i.e. Apothecary at MDRF is the First Aid Station.
Armorer - A tradesman who makes and repairs armor.
Aye - RenSpeak for "Yes"
B
Bar - A vendor who dispenses ale, wine, cider, or meade. (see pub & tavern)
Barnacle - PyrateSpeak for "You're slowing me down."
Bat Sweat - Lemonade mixed with salt. Used by performers to replace minerals and protect against dehydration. (Lemonade and salt can be substituted with Gatorade)
Bawdy - RenSpeak for "PG13 - R rated".
Beef-witted - RenSpeak for "Dumb as a cow."
Beer Is In The Pickup Truck - RenSpeak for "Faire is over for the day, it's time to revert to the 21st century" (to be most effective, should be said with a broad Deep South accent)
BeeSting - An intoxication comprised of Meade mixed with Hard Cider.
B.F.A. - Basic Faire Accent.
Bit - a bit of acting, a skit, or a starting point for improvisation in character.
Boothie - RenSpeak for Someone that works for/in a booth selling games or merchandise at MDRF.
By your leave - RenSpeak for "pardon me," or "excuse me."
C
Carouse - RenSpeak for "Party!"
Chide - RenSpeak for "Scold or nag."
Clouted - RenSpeak for "Hit over the head."
Codpiece - A protective leather, maile, or metal piece hung over an man's crotch. (The medieval version of the "cup.")
Cutpurse - RenSpeak for "Thief."
D
Dragon Piss - Lemonade mixed with salt. Used by performers to replace minerals and protect against dehydration. (Lemonade and salt can be substituted with Gatorade)
E
e'en - RenSpeak for "even," or "evening."
Enow - RenSpeak for "Enough."
Elizabethan - Typically the Tudor period during the lifetime of Elizabeth I (1533-1603).
Eminence - The proper addressing of any Cardinal. (Not the bird.)
F
Fare thee well; I must away! - RenSpeak for "Goodbye, I gotta go!." (Used mostly when an entertainer needs to break from a group of paytrons and get to a stage.)
Falconer - Those who are skillful with Falcons.
Fewterer - Those who maintain the royal Greyhounds.
Flanders - Literally the Netherlands, but RenSpeak for "anywhere far away where they have strange customs." (i.e. using 21th Century customs in front of a street performer at MDRF.)
Flemish painter - RenSpeak for a camera.
Fare thee well - RenSpeak for "Goodbye." (Use if you think you won't see that person again, it's a final term. If you will see the person again, use the term "anon.")
Fie - RenSpeak for the "F" word. You can use as "Fie upon ye" but never "Oh, Fie YOU." (Mother Fie-er does not work either.)
Forsooth - RenSpeak for "Why?"
G
Gaffer - RenSpeak for Grandfather.
Gamers - RenSpeak for vendors who offer you games of chance at MDRF.
Grace - The way you properly address an Archbishop or Duke.
Guild of St. George - The living history wing of MDRF.
Garb - RenSpeak for clothes you wear to MDRF (never, ever call them "costumes.")
Gate Shift - Time that an MDRF castmember must spend at the front gate greeting people.
Good Morrow - RenSpeak for "good day" or "Hello."
Good Lady or Good Mother or Good Wife - The correct way to address a Woman of Mature Years.
God save thee - RenSpeak for "God Bless You." (Used after a sneeze.)
God's Blood - RenSpeak for "Unbelievable!"
God's Teeth - RenSpeak used to curse someone under your breath.
Goths - Those folks who come to MDRF in what we refer to as "early-Victorian-depression." You will find them very light of skin and black of costume." Grammercy - RenSpeak for "Thank you."
Green Man - A man of the wood, usually in a green leafy mask, who represents nature and its incredible energy.
Guild - A group of folks who share an identifying cultural source. Guilds include: Rogues, Mercs, Wenches, Assassins, Vampyre Hunters, Privateers, Nik-Thil, and Skulk of the Black Fox.
H
Highness - The proper way to address either a Prince or Princess.
Haggard - RenSpeak for "run down" or "shabby."
Hark - RenSpeak for "Attention!" or "Listen Up."
Hawker - RenSpeak for street vendors that try to bring customers into their booth to buy something.
Hail and well met! - RenSpeak for "Hello, nice to see you!"
Himbo - RenSpeak for male flirt. (male form of bimbo.)
hither - RenSpeak for "here."
Holiness - The proper way to address the Pope.
How stands the hour? - RenSpeak for "What time is it?"
HUZZAH! - RenSpeak for "Hooooray!"
I
In Faith - RenSpeak for "In truth."
In sooth? - RenSpeak for "Really?"
J
John Barleycorn - RenSpeak for being drunk to the point of passing out.
K
knave - RenSpeak for a non-gentlemanly gentleman.
Kilt Check - The act of one or more wenches sliding their hands up the inside of a man's kilt to verify he wears the kilt in regimental style.
L
Lad - RenSpeak for "boy."
Landskchnecht - The historically-correct German soldiers who protect the monarchy at MDRF.
Lass - RenSpeak for "girl."
Lout - RenSpeak for a loudmouth or a bully.
Lundegaard - The place where most playtron guilds reside and get their materials from.
M
Majesty - word used to correctly address a King or Queen.
maiden - RenSpeak for "teenage girl."
Mayhap - RenSpeak for "Perhaps." (Note there is no plural for mayhap)
Mead - A medieval wine made from honey
Milady - RenSpeak for "Dear Lady."
Milord - RenSpeak for "Dear Sir."
Moriss Dancers - MDRF lads who dance in Autumn in order to promote the harvest of the crops. They also dance at faires to celebrate the seasons.
Morrow - RenSpeak for "Days" or "tomorrow."
Mundane - RenSpeak for those folks who show up at MDRF in their 21st century clothing.
Mundanes - RenSpeak for "21st century clothing."
maile - Interlocking bits of chain which create metal cloth.
N
Nay - RenSpeak for "No."
N'er - RenSpeak for "Never."
Not a whit - RenSpeak for "Not one bit."
O
Oft - RenSpeak for "Often."
P
Privateer - A Pirate or Pyrate in the Privateer's Guilde.
Plundering - PrivateerSpeak for the gathering of privateers to pray upon a selected victim, offering up small gifts to the victim from trinkets to drinks.
Paytron - Any MDRF customer who comes throught gates.
Perchance - RenSpeak for "Maybe or Possibly."
Plague - Brought on by infected fleas that spread from harbor rats "imported" from the east, this disease wiped out over 1/3 of Europe in several bouts lasting years.
Playtron - Any MDRF customer who wears garb, speaks in BFA, and interracts with the cast.
poppet - RenSpeak for "small child" or "babydoll."
Proctor - Anyone who acts as arbitrator or judge. This word can also be used to designate someone who questions, such as a teacher or professor.
Pray pardon me - RenSpeak for "Excuse me."
Pray tell - RenSpeak for "Please tell me."
Prithee, attend me! - RenSpeak for "Pay attention!"
privy - RenSpeak for those claustrophobic blue "portapots" at MDRF.
privy duty - MDRF castmembers who take turns showing people that the green label on the privy dial means it's friggin' empty and open for the next "visitor."
Privy Monster - a creature that inhabits the privy and eats small children.
pub - Bar where you can sit when drinking. (see Tavern)
pubcrawl - RenSpeak for a group of guildmembers (usually Nik-Thil, Privateers, or Wenches) who travel from pub to pub and drink heavilly.
Pub Sing - The last major event of every MDRF evening and not to be missed.
progress - RenSpeak for the parade royalty make through Revel Grove.
Pox upon you - RenSpeak for "I hope you contract a horrible incurable disease and die." (i.e. plague)
Q
R
rapscallion - RenSpeak for "rascal."
Regimental Style - RenSpeak for wearing nothing under your kilt.
Rennie - A person who goes from Faire to Faire performing and/or working as a vendor.
Ren Rat - RenSpeak for someone whose grown up in and around MDRF.
Revel Grove - The village name of MDRF.
Rogue - A Calvalier.
Roguing - When a group of rogues surround a lady and attemt to curry her favor with roses.
S
SCRIBE - The online "know-all see-all be-all" of Renaissance Faire history in the U.S. (our databank).
shanÕt - RenSpeak for "shall not or will not."
Shire - RenSpeak for "a mythical English locality where the Faire is set." (i.e. Revel Grove)
Sire - How to address your better.
Skulker - RenSpeak for a member of the Skulk of the Black Fox.
Sliding - RenSpeak for a group of Renfolks who take over the slides at MDRF.
Smith or Smithee - RenSpeak for blacksmith.
Stay - RenSpeak for "Stop" or "wait."
Strumpet - RenSpeak for a woman who is a bit more bawdy than a wench but less than a whore.
T
tavern - A pub where you can sit while drinking and offers food.
Tosspot - RenSpeak for a Drunkard.
Tudor - For MDRF, it's the period covering the marriages of King Henry VIII but actually extended from the reign of his father through Elizabeth I (his daughter).
Thee/Thou - RenSpeak for "You."
Ôtis - RenSpeak for "it's" or "it is."
Ôtwas - RenSpeak for "it was."
Ôtwould - RenSpeak for "it would."
Ôtwill - RenSpeak for "it will."
Ôtwere - RenSpeak for "it were."
U
V
Varlot - RenSpeak for someone who is a bit more criminal than a Rogue.
Verily - RenSpeak for "Truly" or "Truthfully"
victuals - RenSpeak for Food.
W
wench - Usually a single woman who flaunts her "wares."
Wenching - When more than one wench surrounds a male victem and proceedes to kiss his face and head.
Wench Walk - The walk of wenches heading for a wenching or other wenchie activity.
Wherefore - RenSpeak for "Why?"
Wondrous Well! - RenSpeak for "That's Great!"
X
Y
Yon - RenSpeak for "There" or "Over there."
Z
****
And here is a guide ...
... if you are attending the festival.
www.cloudnet.com/~renfest/renspeak.htm
This one is in Maryland. I found the site interesting and enjoyed reading the Glossary, found in the link below.
www.friendsofmdrf.org/ENJOY/renspeak.html
Ren Speak
Part of the fun of becoming a "Playtron" at MDRF is to learn the language spoken within Revel Grove. Folks who speak this language refer to it as Basic Faire Accent (BFA) or as we refer to it her, Ren Speak.
Ren Speak is something you should gradually learn. If the MDRF bug has bitten you, then you've probably already started to collect books and movies about the Renaissance just for garb ideas! Watch those movies and read those books and try to speak aloud those Elizabethan phrases and then listen to how the castmembers of MDRF interract. With a little practice, you'll be speaking Ren Speak like a pro!
Glossary of Terms
Below is an alphabetical listing of terms used at The Maryland Renaissance Festival and admittingly is a growing list. If you buy chance see a word or phrase used often at the faire that is medieval/gaelic/renaissance/elizabethan, please email Sir Black Fox and he'll add it to this page.
Please note that these words and terms were pulled from several sites on the internet (sources listed at the bottom of this page), from experienced playtrons, books, magazines, and a few movies! Some of these terms refer to just MDRF and others are general RenFaire vocabulary.
A
A.F.R. - The online newsgroup alt.fairs.renaissance which was the first online place for Ren Folks to meet.
Ale - Beer!
Anon - RenSpeak for "Goodbye," See you later," or "Until we meet again"
Apothecary - A Druggist or someone who provided some slight medical treatment (not to be confused with a Barber who also performed Surgery) i.e. Apothecary at MDRF is the First Aid Station.
Armorer - A tradesman who makes and repairs armor.
Aye - RenSpeak for "Yes"
B
Bar - A vendor who dispenses ale, wine, cider, or meade. (see pub & tavern)
Barnacle - PyrateSpeak for "You're slowing me down."
Bat Sweat - Lemonade mixed with salt. Used by performers to replace minerals and protect against dehydration. (Lemonade and salt can be substituted with Gatorade)
Bawdy - RenSpeak for "PG13 - R rated".
Beef-witted - RenSpeak for "Dumb as a cow."
Beer Is In The Pickup Truck - RenSpeak for "Faire is over for the day, it's time to revert to the 21st century" (to be most effective, should be said with a broad Deep South accent)
BeeSting - An intoxication comprised of Meade mixed with Hard Cider.
B.F.A. - Basic Faire Accent.
Bit - a bit of acting, a skit, or a starting point for improvisation in character.
Boothie - RenSpeak for Someone that works for/in a booth selling games or merchandise at MDRF.
By your leave - RenSpeak for "pardon me," or "excuse me."
C
Carouse - RenSpeak for "Party!"
Chide - RenSpeak for "Scold or nag."
Clouted - RenSpeak for "Hit over the head."
Codpiece - A protective leather, maile, or metal piece hung over an man's crotch. (The medieval version of the "cup.")
Cutpurse - RenSpeak for "Thief."
D
Dragon Piss - Lemonade mixed with salt. Used by performers to replace minerals and protect against dehydration. (Lemonade and salt can be substituted with Gatorade)
E
e'en - RenSpeak for "even," or "evening."
Enow - RenSpeak for "Enough."
Elizabethan - Typically the Tudor period during the lifetime of Elizabeth I (1533-1603).
Eminence - The proper addressing of any Cardinal. (Not the bird.)
F
Fare thee well; I must away! - RenSpeak for "Goodbye, I gotta go!." (Used mostly when an entertainer needs to break from a group of paytrons and get to a stage.)
Falconer - Those who are skillful with Falcons.
Fewterer - Those who maintain the royal Greyhounds.
Flanders - Literally the Netherlands, but RenSpeak for "anywhere far away where they have strange customs." (i.e. using 21th Century customs in front of a street performer at MDRF.)
Flemish painter - RenSpeak for a camera.
Fare thee well - RenSpeak for "Goodbye." (Use if you think you won't see that person again, it's a final term. If you will see the person again, use the term "anon.")
Fie - RenSpeak for the "F" word. You can use as "Fie upon ye" but never "Oh, Fie YOU." (Mother Fie-er does not work either.)
Forsooth - RenSpeak for "Why?"
G
Gaffer - RenSpeak for Grandfather.
Gamers - RenSpeak for vendors who offer you games of chance at MDRF.
Grace - The way you properly address an Archbishop or Duke.
Guild of St. George - The living history wing of MDRF.
Garb - RenSpeak for clothes you wear to MDRF (never, ever call them "costumes.")
Gate Shift - Time that an MDRF castmember must spend at the front gate greeting people.
Good Morrow - RenSpeak for "good day" or "Hello."
Good Lady or Good Mother or Good Wife - The correct way to address a Woman of Mature Years.
God save thee - RenSpeak for "God Bless You." (Used after a sneeze.)
God's Blood - RenSpeak for "Unbelievable!"
God's Teeth - RenSpeak used to curse someone under your breath.
Goths - Those folks who come to MDRF in what we refer to as "early-Victorian-depression." You will find them very light of skin and black of costume." Grammercy - RenSpeak for "Thank you."
Green Man - A man of the wood, usually in a green leafy mask, who represents nature and its incredible energy.
Guild - A group of folks who share an identifying cultural source. Guilds include: Rogues, Mercs, Wenches, Assassins, Vampyre Hunters, Privateers, Nik-Thil, and Skulk of the Black Fox.
H
Highness - The proper way to address either a Prince or Princess.
Haggard - RenSpeak for "run down" or "shabby."
Hark - RenSpeak for "Attention!" or "Listen Up."
Hawker - RenSpeak for street vendors that try to bring customers into their booth to buy something.
Hail and well met! - RenSpeak for "Hello, nice to see you!"
Himbo - RenSpeak for male flirt. (male form of bimbo.)
hither - RenSpeak for "here."
Holiness - The proper way to address the Pope.
How stands the hour? - RenSpeak for "What time is it?"
HUZZAH! - RenSpeak for "Hooooray!"
I
In Faith - RenSpeak for "In truth."
In sooth? - RenSpeak for "Really?"
J
John Barleycorn - RenSpeak for being drunk to the point of passing out.
K
knave - RenSpeak for a non-gentlemanly gentleman.
Kilt Check - The act of one or more wenches sliding their hands up the inside of a man's kilt to verify he wears the kilt in regimental style.
L
Lad - RenSpeak for "boy."
Landskchnecht - The historically-correct German soldiers who protect the monarchy at MDRF.
Lass - RenSpeak for "girl."
Lout - RenSpeak for a loudmouth or a bully.
Lundegaard - The place where most playtron guilds reside and get their materials from.
M
Majesty - word used to correctly address a King or Queen.
maiden - RenSpeak for "teenage girl."
Mayhap - RenSpeak for "Perhaps." (Note there is no plural for mayhap)
Mead - A medieval wine made from honey
Milady - RenSpeak for "Dear Lady."
Milord - RenSpeak for "Dear Sir."
Moriss Dancers - MDRF lads who dance in Autumn in order to promote the harvest of the crops. They also dance at faires to celebrate the seasons.
Morrow - RenSpeak for "Days" or "tomorrow."
Mundane - RenSpeak for those folks who show up at MDRF in their 21st century clothing.
Mundanes - RenSpeak for "21st century clothing."
maile - Interlocking bits of chain which create metal cloth.
N
Nay - RenSpeak for "No."
N'er - RenSpeak for "Never."
Not a whit - RenSpeak for "Not one bit."
O
Oft - RenSpeak for "Often."
P
Privateer - A Pirate or Pyrate in the Privateer's Guilde.
Plundering - PrivateerSpeak for the gathering of privateers to pray upon a selected victim, offering up small gifts to the victim from trinkets to drinks.
Paytron - Any MDRF customer who comes throught gates.
Perchance - RenSpeak for "Maybe or Possibly."
Plague - Brought on by infected fleas that spread from harbor rats "imported" from the east, this disease wiped out over 1/3 of Europe in several bouts lasting years.
Playtron - Any MDRF customer who wears garb, speaks in BFA, and interracts with the cast.
poppet - RenSpeak for "small child" or "babydoll."
Proctor - Anyone who acts as arbitrator or judge. This word can also be used to designate someone who questions, such as a teacher or professor.
Pray pardon me - RenSpeak for "Excuse me."
Pray tell - RenSpeak for "Please tell me."
Prithee, attend me! - RenSpeak for "Pay attention!"
privy - RenSpeak for those claustrophobic blue "portapots" at MDRF.
privy duty - MDRF castmembers who take turns showing people that the green label on the privy dial means it's friggin' empty and open for the next "visitor."
Privy Monster - a creature that inhabits the privy and eats small children.
pub - Bar where you can sit when drinking. (see Tavern)
pubcrawl - RenSpeak for a group of guildmembers (usually Nik-Thil, Privateers, or Wenches) who travel from pub to pub and drink heavilly.
Pub Sing - The last major event of every MDRF evening and not to be missed.
progress - RenSpeak for the parade royalty make through Revel Grove.
Pox upon you - RenSpeak for "I hope you contract a horrible incurable disease and die." (i.e. plague)
Q
R
rapscallion - RenSpeak for "rascal."
Regimental Style - RenSpeak for wearing nothing under your kilt.
Rennie - A person who goes from Faire to Faire performing and/or working as a vendor.
Ren Rat - RenSpeak for someone whose grown up in and around MDRF.
Revel Grove - The village name of MDRF.
Rogue - A Calvalier.
Roguing - When a group of rogues surround a lady and attemt to curry her favor with roses.
S
SCRIBE - The online "know-all see-all be-all" of Renaissance Faire history in the U.S. (our databank).
shanÕt - RenSpeak for "shall not or will not."
Shire - RenSpeak for "a mythical English locality where the Faire is set." (i.e. Revel Grove)
Sire - How to address your better.
Skulker - RenSpeak for a member of the Skulk of the Black Fox.
Sliding - RenSpeak for a group of Renfolks who take over the slides at MDRF.
Smith or Smithee - RenSpeak for blacksmith.
Stay - RenSpeak for "Stop" or "wait."
Strumpet - RenSpeak for a woman who is a bit more bawdy than a wench but less than a whore.
T
tavern - A pub where you can sit while drinking and offers food.
Tosspot - RenSpeak for a Drunkard.
Tudor - For MDRF, it's the period covering the marriages of King Henry VIII but actually extended from the reign of his father through Elizabeth I (his daughter).
Thee/Thou - RenSpeak for "You."
Ôtis - RenSpeak for "it's" or "it is."
Ôtwas - RenSpeak for "it was."
Ôtwould - RenSpeak for "it would."
Ôtwill - RenSpeak for "it will."
Ôtwere - RenSpeak for "it were."
U
V
Varlot - RenSpeak for someone who is a bit more criminal than a Rogue.
Verily - RenSpeak for "Truly" or "Truthfully"
victuals - RenSpeak for Food.
W
wench - Usually a single woman who flaunts her "wares."
Wenching - When more than one wench surrounds a male victem and proceedes to kiss his face and head.
Wench Walk - The walk of wenches heading for a wenching or other wenchie activity.
Wherefore - RenSpeak for "Why?"
Wondrous Well! - RenSpeak for "That's Great!"
X
Y
Yon - RenSpeak for "There" or "Over there."
Z
****
And here is a guide ...
... if you are attending the festival.www.cloudnet.com/~renfest/renspeak.htm
RENSPEAK LANGUAGE GUIDE
"You" or "Ye" would be used on formal occasions, or when one is addressing one of higher social rank.
Never call the Royals "Thee" or "thou".
SINGULAR PLURAL
1st person----I we
2nd person----you ye
3rd person----she, he, it they
"Thee" or "thou" are informal forms of address and would be used when speaking to a friend or one of equal or lower social standing.
SINGULAR PLURAL
1st person----I we
2nd person----thee, thou ye
3rd person----he, she, it they
(Note: Don't switch from formal to informal, or vice versa, in the same conversation.)
CASE:
"Thou" is nominative. (Used as the subject of the sentence and is usually the first noun in the sentence.)
Examples: Thou(subject) hast slain me(object).
Thou (subject) liest.
(Note: Verbs following "thou" tend to end in "-st". We'll go into this in more depth when we deal with verb endings.)
"Thee" is objective. (Used as the object in the sentence. The object is the word affected by the verb.)
Examples: I(subject) love thee(object).
We (subject) shall slay thee (object).
The possessive form of "thee/thou" is "thy" or "thine".
"Thy" precedes words beginning with a consonant. Thy friend. Thy castle.
"Thin" precedes words beginning with a vowel. Thine honor. Thine arse.
(Note: When a word beginning with a vowel follows “my” it becomes "mine". Mine eyes. Mine Uncle.)
To choose between addressing someone as "you" or "thee/thou:"
THEE/THOU is the informal/friendly second person singular. Use it when speaking to a friend or someone of lower social status than yourself.
YOU is the formal, polite second person singular address. Use it when speaking to someone of higher status or to one who is not a close friend.
Note that in modern English usage the informal thee/thou has fallen out of use--everyone gets the formal/polite treatment. Ever notice how we call anyone a lady or a gentleman so that those words are now meaningless? ("Yes, officer, that drunken homeless gentleman over there was urinating on the sidewalk.")
We also use the honorifics "Mr.", "Mrs.", and "Miss" (or at least the modern "Ms.") for darn near anyone even though before this century they were reserved for persons of higher status. These terms derive from "Master" and "Mistress" which were technically only for gentlemen and gentlewomen (i.e. about 1% of the population).
The lesson here is that renaissance English was much more sensitive to the stratification of social classes. This basic social inequality was to some extent reflected in the language, right down to such basic elements as grammar. Times have changed and we are much more "democratic" now, so language has changed along with society.
The romance languages (such as Spanish or French) still have both forms. In Spanish "tu" is analogous to thee/thou while "usted" is like "you."
I have noticed many people at fest, such as shopkeepers, pull out what they believe is their most formal language when the royalty visits them. This often means they struggle along with "thee/thou" in addressing the King & Queen when they should properly be using "you" (the phrase "Thy Majesty" doesn't make sense, does it? It's "Your Majesty."). We don't criticize them--they are putting forth an effort. But now you all know that it’s (grammatically!) easy to address the nobility--just use the modern "you" form.
Let us move furtherward to those confusing verb endings.
A verb is a word that describes an action or something being done.
Verb ending in the letter "s" should end in "-th", "-eth", "-st" or "-est".
Examples: Modern becomes Renaissance
runs.......................runneth or runnest
kisses.....................kisseth or kissest
does.......................doth or dost
kills.........................slayeth or slayest
There are rules governing when to use "-eth" and when to use "-est" but we don't need to go into that now. For the purpose of giving our language a renaissance flavor, either works.
(Note: "Will" and "shall" become "wilt" and "shalt" when used with "thee" or "thou.)
Tips for the use of "-est" & "-st" vs. "-eth" & "-th"
In the first person (Where the subject is "I" or "we") These ending are not used. It's just like modern English.
Examples: I kill.
We kiss.
The second person singular ("Thou") uses the "-st" or "-est" endings.
Examples: Thou takest my breath from me.
How dost thou?
The third person singular ("He", "She", "It", "This", "That", "[Someone's Name]") uses the "-eth" and "-th" endings.
Examples: This format of rules and examples sucketh!
It biteth the big one.
He doth not make this easy, doth he?
If the subject is plural, the verb will not have any of these endings.
Do not use contractions. Generally, they enter the language later and, to the modern ear, the longer form sounds more elegant and Old. If you know an older or more poetic word for something, use it. Car becomes Cart, pants becomes breeches/venetians/slops, house becomes cottage/manor, hat becomes chapeau and so on... Change your sentence structure a bit. "I discussed the issue with him" becomes "I did discuss the matter with that good man." Pronounce the all the letters in the word. Action (akshon) becomes act-i-on; schedule (skedul) becomes shed-u-le. Find historical cuss words. If you must swear, avoid the everyday ones. "Godsteeth!" is just as effective without being common or offensive. These guidelines may not be historically correct but they add an elegance, formality, and foreignness to our everyday speech that takes the listener out of his normal world into ours.
Paying your do's:
It can be very effective to place the word "do" (or "did") before active verbs.
Examples: I'faith if you do sing again, I do fear madness will befall me.
We did go unto the festival. Aye, we did eat and drink most well.
To be or not to be:
The word "be" (or "were") can be used in place of "is", "am" & "are".
Examples: They all be peasants and, by'r ladykins, I be one as well.
It were a good thing that his majesty, the king did not see thee sit upon his throne.
Thou wert then in peril of thy life.
It's all about me:
Add the word "me" after first person verbs:
Examples: I will sit me down the while and think me on this matter.
Add the word "you" or "thee" to commands:
Examples: Pray, sit you down, my gentle friend.
Drink thee an ale with me, my merry fellow!
CONTRACTIONS:
Try to eliminate most modern contractions from your vocabulary when speaking at the Renaissance Festival. I know that's a bit vague. Some contractions were used, but they were often not the same ones we use today.
Contractions to avoid: I’m, we're, they're, don't, can't, it's, won't, you're
Substitute: I am, we are, they are, do not, can not, it is, will not, you are
Contractions such as these tend to rob your speech of the very renaissance flavour that we are trying to cultivate. You can, of course, make a case for modern contractions being used in renaissance speech ("Aye, there's the rub.") I don't expect you to be able to completely eradicate these from your speech. If, however, your contractions come too frequently, you will be expected to give birth shortly thereafter.
There are some contractions that will actually improve the flavour of you speech.
GOOD CONTRACTIONS:
SAY: INSTEAD OF:
‘tis it's or it is
‘twas it was
‘twould it would
‘twill it will
‘twere it were
is't is it?
shan’t shall not or will not
e'en even, also evening
You can also drop the "v" from the middle of some words.
SAY: INSTEAD OF:
e'er ever
"ere before
ne'er never
o'er over
e'en even
Phrases can be contracted, dropping whole words.
"Let us (go) to bed."
"I'll (have) none of thee."
"I will (go) away."
"Go to ( )."
Exclamatory Phrases:
We already introduced "tis well" as an all purpose period substitute for "OK".
"God's Teeth!" would be used anywhere you might say "Geez!" (or you favorite similar blasphemy or 4 letter version). A similar popular period exclamation: "God's Blood!" You can also make up your own: "God's ______(body part)" "God's butt!" was probably not used in period but I have heard it at a RenFaire that follows this pattern--I suppose "God's arse!" would be more period. "Zounds!” is short for "God's wounds" so make it rhyme with wounds, often pronounced as "zwoonds"
And now the F-word:
"Fie!" is a VERY useful word. A general expression of disgust. (pronounced "fy")
Examples: "Oh, Fie!"
"Fie and fie again!"
"Fie upon it!" or "Fie upon that!" or "Fie upon you!"
(Note: They didn't say "Fie you" though, sorry.)
"Tush!" is used alone (unlike Fie above). Sort of a mild exclamation.
Example: "Tush, sir! Surely you jest!"
"Go to!" is a period exclamation often used the way we would answer an astonishing statement from a friend: "Get outta here! Really?"
Example: "The king is coming to this dungheap? Go to!"
I would encourage everyone to pick one they enjoy and get in the habit of saying it. It can become quite automatic after awhile, such as: "God's Teeth! This heat is killing me!"
Recommended by John Neitz-On-line book-Description of Elizabethan England, 1577
"You" or "Ye" would be used on formal occasions, or when one is addressing one of higher social rank.
Never call the Royals "Thee" or "thou".
SINGULAR PLURAL
1st person----I we
2nd person----you ye
3rd person----she, he, it they
"Thee" or "thou" are informal forms of address and would be used when speaking to a friend or one of equal or lower social standing.
SINGULAR PLURAL
1st person----I we
2nd person----thee, thou ye
3rd person----he, she, it they
(Note: Don't switch from formal to informal, or vice versa, in the same conversation.)
CASE:
"Thou" is nominative. (Used as the subject of the sentence and is usually the first noun in the sentence.)
Examples: Thou(subject) hast slain me(object).
Thou (subject) liest.
(Note: Verbs following "thou" tend to end in "-st". We'll go into this in more depth when we deal with verb endings.)
"Thee" is objective. (Used as the object in the sentence. The object is the word affected by the verb.)
Examples: I(subject) love thee(object).
We (subject) shall slay thee (object).
The possessive form of "thee/thou" is "thy" or "thine".
"Thy" precedes words beginning with a consonant. Thy friend. Thy castle.
"Thin" precedes words beginning with a vowel. Thine honor. Thine arse.
(Note: When a word beginning with a vowel follows “my” it becomes "mine". Mine eyes. Mine Uncle.)
To choose between addressing someone as "you" or "thee/thou:"
THEE/THOU is the informal/friendly second person singular. Use it when speaking to a friend or someone of lower social status than yourself.
YOU is the formal, polite second person singular address. Use it when speaking to someone of higher status or to one who is not a close friend.
Note that in modern English usage the informal thee/thou has fallen out of use--everyone gets the formal/polite treatment. Ever notice how we call anyone a lady or a gentleman so that those words are now meaningless? ("Yes, officer, that drunken homeless gentleman over there was urinating on the sidewalk.")
We also use the honorifics "Mr.", "Mrs.", and "Miss" (or at least the modern "Ms.") for darn near anyone even though before this century they were reserved for persons of higher status. These terms derive from "Master" and "Mistress" which were technically only for gentlemen and gentlewomen (i.e. about 1% of the population).
The lesson here is that renaissance English was much more sensitive to the stratification of social classes. This basic social inequality was to some extent reflected in the language, right down to such basic elements as grammar. Times have changed and we are much more "democratic" now, so language has changed along with society.
The romance languages (such as Spanish or French) still have both forms. In Spanish "tu" is analogous to thee/thou while "usted" is like "you."
I have noticed many people at fest, such as shopkeepers, pull out what they believe is their most formal language when the royalty visits them. This often means they struggle along with "thee/thou" in addressing the King & Queen when they should properly be using "you" (the phrase "Thy Majesty" doesn't make sense, does it? It's "Your Majesty."). We don't criticize them--they are putting forth an effort. But now you all know that it’s (grammatically!) easy to address the nobility--just use the modern "you" form.
Let us move furtherward to those confusing verb endings.
A verb is a word that describes an action or something being done.
Verb ending in the letter "s" should end in "-th", "-eth", "-st" or "-est".
Examples: Modern becomes Renaissance
runs.......................runneth or runnest
kisses.....................kisseth or kissest
does.......................doth or dost
kills.........................slayeth or slayest
There are rules governing when to use "-eth" and when to use "-est" but we don't need to go into that now. For the purpose of giving our language a renaissance flavor, either works.
(Note: "Will" and "shall" become "wilt" and "shalt" when used with "thee" or "thou.)
Tips for the use of "-est" & "-st" vs. "-eth" & "-th"
In the first person (Where the subject is "I" or "we") These ending are not used. It's just like modern English.
Examples: I kill.
We kiss.
The second person singular ("Thou") uses the "-st" or "-est" endings.
Examples: Thou takest my breath from me.
How dost thou?
The third person singular ("He", "She", "It", "This", "That", "[Someone's Name]") uses the "-eth" and "-th" endings.
Examples: This format of rules and examples sucketh!
It biteth the big one.
He doth not make this easy, doth he?
If the subject is plural, the verb will not have any of these endings.
Do not use contractions. Generally, they enter the language later and, to the modern ear, the longer form sounds more elegant and Old. If you know an older or more poetic word for something, use it. Car becomes Cart, pants becomes breeches/venetians/slops, house becomes cottage/manor, hat becomes chapeau and so on... Change your sentence structure a bit. "I discussed the issue with him" becomes "I did discuss the matter with that good man." Pronounce the all the letters in the word. Action (akshon) becomes act-i-on; schedule (skedul) becomes shed-u-le. Find historical cuss words. If you must swear, avoid the everyday ones. "Godsteeth!" is just as effective without being common or offensive. These guidelines may not be historically correct but they add an elegance, formality, and foreignness to our everyday speech that takes the listener out of his normal world into ours.
Paying your do's:
It can be very effective to place the word "do" (or "did") before active verbs.
Examples: I'faith if you do sing again, I do fear madness will befall me.
We did go unto the festival. Aye, we did eat and drink most well.
To be or not to be:
The word "be" (or "were") can be used in place of "is", "am" & "are".
Examples: They all be peasants and, by'r ladykins, I be one as well.
It were a good thing that his majesty, the king did not see thee sit upon his throne.
Thou wert then in peril of thy life.
It's all about me:
Add the word "me" after first person verbs:
Examples: I will sit me down the while and think me on this matter.
Add the word "you" or "thee" to commands:
Examples: Pray, sit you down, my gentle friend.
Drink thee an ale with me, my merry fellow!
CONTRACTIONS:
Try to eliminate most modern contractions from your vocabulary when speaking at the Renaissance Festival. I know that's a bit vague. Some contractions were used, but they were often not the same ones we use today.
Contractions to avoid: I’m, we're, they're, don't, can't, it's, won't, you're
Substitute: I am, we are, they are, do not, can not, it is, will not, you are
Contractions such as these tend to rob your speech of the very renaissance flavour that we are trying to cultivate. You can, of course, make a case for modern contractions being used in renaissance speech ("Aye, there's the rub.") I don't expect you to be able to completely eradicate these from your speech. If, however, your contractions come too frequently, you will be expected to give birth shortly thereafter.
There are some contractions that will actually improve the flavour of you speech.
GOOD CONTRACTIONS:
SAY: INSTEAD OF:
‘tis it's or it is
‘twas it was
‘twould it would
‘twill it will
‘twere it were
is't is it?
shan’t shall not or will not
e'en even, also evening
You can also drop the "v" from the middle of some words.
SAY: INSTEAD OF:
e'er ever
"ere before
ne'er never
o'er over
e'en even
Phrases can be contracted, dropping whole words.
"Let us (go) to bed."
"I'll (have) none of thee."
"I will (go) away."
"Go to ( )."
Exclamatory Phrases:
We already introduced "tis well" as an all purpose period substitute for "OK".
"God's Teeth!" would be used anywhere you might say "Geez!" (or you favorite similar blasphemy or 4 letter version). A similar popular period exclamation: "God's Blood!" You can also make up your own: "God's ______(body part)" "God's butt!" was probably not used in period but I have heard it at a RenFaire that follows this pattern--I suppose "God's arse!" would be more period. "Zounds!” is short for "God's wounds" so make it rhyme with wounds, often pronounced as "zwoonds"
And now the F-word:
"Fie!" is a VERY useful word. A general expression of disgust. (pronounced "fy")
Examples: "Oh, Fie!"
"Fie and fie again!"
"Fie upon it!" or "Fie upon that!" or "Fie upon you!"
(Note: They didn't say "Fie you" though, sorry.)
"Tush!" is used alone (unlike Fie above). Sort of a mild exclamation.
Example: "Tush, sir! Surely you jest!"
"Go to!" is a period exclamation often used the way we would answer an astonishing statement from a friend: "Get outta here! Really?"
Example: "The king is coming to this dungheap? Go to!"
I would encourage everyone to pick one they enjoy and get in the habit of saying it. It can become quite automatic after awhile, such as: "God's Teeth! This heat is killing me!"
Recommended by John Neitz-On-line book-Description of Elizabethan England, 1577
