mē self
The English phrase 'myself' is translated into Old English as mē self.
This phrase is the reflexive form of 'me'.
Meaning: me, reflexive form of me (pron)
Did you know?
- Old English had a distinct system where self could be used to mean 'alone' or 'only', a meaning that has mostly vanished from the modern word.
- Because self was an adjective, its ending would change to match the grammatical case of the pronoun it modified, a feature lost in modern English.
- In Old English, adding self to a pronoun was not always mandatory for reflexivity but was often used to add intense emphasis to the person.
Examples in context
- Ic sylf wille wesan cyningI myself will be king
- Ic sylf geseah þæt wundorI myself saw that wonder
- Ne mæg ic hit on me sylfum gelyfanI cannot believe it myself
- Þæt ic sylf leofodeThat I myself loved
- Þæt ic sylf geseah and cwæðThat I myself saw and said
Example conversation
Godric and Wulfrun are talking about a new cloak.
- GodricHū līcaþ þē þes clāþ, Wulfrun?How do you like this cloth, Wulfrun?
- WulfrunHit is fæger, ac Godric, hwā ġearwode hine?It is fair, but Godric, who prepared it?
- GodricIc ġearwode mē self þone clāþ.I prepared the cloth for myself.
- WulfrunÞū eart snotor and ġeorn.You are wise and eager.
