High School Jipped Me

I discovered over the weekend that I was jipped by my high school education. I’m pretty sure it’s a global conspiracy. Recently I have become utterly fascinated by language. I am trying to learn German and I am studying the history of English in a couple of different books. As some of you know my goal is to learn several languages in the near future simply because I can.

Anyways, in my studies I’ve been listening to The Adventure of English by Melvyn Bragg. He’s an English writer/historian who’s done quite extensive research into how the English came to be. I purchased his book in audio form from Geoffrey Chaucer and his Canterbury Tales. He had quite the influence on the English language. I studied Chaucer’s work in school, but was unaware (or perhaps I was and forgot) that what we read was a modern translation of his work. I must say I wish I had read the original, because even though it’s Old English it’s still dang cool.

Here’s an excerpt from wikipedia.com.

The Original…
>This frere bosteth that he knoweth helle,
>And God it woot, that it is litel wonder;
>Freres and feendes been but lyte asonder.

The Modern Translation…
>This friar boasts that he knows hell,
>And God knows that it is little wonder;
>Friars and fiends are seldom far apart.

Here’s a link to the entire excerpt.

Now I have embarked on a mission to obtain a copy of this work in Chaucer’s original writing. I want to read it in the original Old English. Why you may ask? Simply because I can.