Did you know? (1 Viewer)

[Ahsoka]

In old English, some nouns became plural through the addition of -en. What’s interesting is that while various modern English plurals are formed by adding -en, the only plural that had that ending since old English and has kept it all this time is the word oxen. Other plurals ending in -en (like children) got the ending in Middle English or modern English.

 

[dark_tranquility]

all I know is this?

Hutchings is a patronymic surname that originated from the Viking settlers of ancient Scotland. The name was derived from Huchon, a diminutive form of Hugh. It is the equivalent of Hugh in the vernacular of Scotland. Hutchings is also a variant of Hutchins

not sure if similar to what you mean, like oxen

 

[Ahsoka]

all I know is this?

Hutchings is a patronymic surname that originated from the Viking settlers of ancient Scotland. The name was derived from Huchon, a diminutive form of Hugh. It is the equivalent of Hugh in the vernacular of Scotland. Hutchings is also a variant of Hutchins

not sure if similar to what you mean, like oxen

I was talking specifically about plural nouns ending in -en, but patronymics are a very interesting and underrated topic of discussion as well

 

[dark_tranquility]

I was talking specifically about plural nouns ending in -en, but patronymics are a very interesting and underrated topic of discussion as well

Any other -en you can name for this thread

 

[Ahsoka]

Any other -en you can name for this thread

Brethren also ends in en, but it falls into the same category as children, where the en ending came after old English

 

[velvet]

No i didn't! I'd love to learn anout middle english honestly it sounds so cool

 

[dark_tranquility]

Brethren also ends in en, but it falls into the same category as children, where the en ending came after old English

fallen is one!

 

[Ahsoka]

fallen is one!

I’m specifically looking at nouns that get a en addition to become plural, and have done so since old English. Fallen can be used as a plural nouns in regards to fallen soldiers or such, but I’m not aware of any real singular form of fallen there, and I expect it did not exist in old English. But it is a plural noun ending in en, so that part is true

 

[dark_tranquility]

source: word example.com


batsman batsmen
postman postmen
fisherman fishermen
vice-chairman vice-chairmen
goodman goodmen
ombudsman ombudsmen
barman barmen
statesman statesmen

 

[Ahsoka]

source: word example.com


batsman batsmen
postman postmen
fisherman fishermen
vice-chairman vice-chairmen
goodman goodmen
ombudsman ombudsmen
barman barmen
statesman statesmen

The plural formation for oxen vs menn in old English is different, oxen was formed by adding an en to the end, while Mann became menn by changing the vowel sound in Mann. Forming plurals by changing the vowel sound is also rare though, but another category of rare compared to oxen

 

[dark_tranquility]

The plural formation for oxen vs menn in old English is different, oxen was formed by adding an en to the end, while Mann became menn by changing the vowel sound in Mann. Forming plurals by changing the vowel sound is also rare though, but another category of rare compared to oxen

rare formation of words then through pronunciation and spelling?
I always thought of it as a mistake in spelling
until you see it for yourself

 

[Ahsoka]

rare formation of words then through pronunciation and spelling?
I always thought of it as a mistake in spelling
until you see it for yourself

Pronunciation can often play a role in irregular and rare word conjugations. Especially with stuff like plurals. There’s many other factors at play of course, but pronunciation is a big one

 

[dark_tranquility]

Pronunciation can often play a role in irregular and rare word conjugations. Especially with stuff like plurals. There’s many other factors at play of course, but pronunciation is a big one

interesting

 

[Selfmate]

No i didn't! I'd love to learn anout middle english honestly it sounds so cool

if only there was like a course or field of study where someone can learn about language lol

 

[ChiaraStar169]

if only there was like a course or field of study where someone can learn about language lol

isn't it called linguistics?

 

[gone4good]

considering England was called Englaland in Old Norse, nothing surprises me anymore!

 

[Selfmate]

isn't it called linguistics?

yes but more of an in joke between me and velvet since she used to study linguistics and changed to latin!!! lol

 

[velvet]

if only there was like a course or field of study where someone can learn about language lol

There is but I gotta do ENGLISH!!! LIKE LITERARY ENGLISH!! UGH! not doing that!