OE Alphabet
a n [n], [ŋ]
æ o
b p
c [k] or [k’] r
d s [s] or [z]
e t
f [f] or [v] þ ð[ð] or θ[θ]
[g], [g’], [γ] or [j] u
h [x], [x’] or [h] w
i x
l y
m
OE writing was based on a phonetic principle: every letter indicated a separate sound. Though some OE letters indicated two or more sounds.
In reading the following rules should be observed:
I) letters f,s, þ, ð –become voiced fricatives: 1) between vowels
ofer [‘over] (over)
2) between a vowel and a voiced consonant
selfa [‘selva] (self)
in other cases they are voiceless fricatives
oft [oft] (often)
ðæt [θæt] (that)
II) the letter :
1) before back vowels (i.e. o:, u:, a:) it stands for [g] - ān [g] (go)
2) before and after front vowels (i.e. i:, e, æ) it stands for [j] - ēar [j] (year)
3) between back vowels it stands for [γ] - daas [γ] ( days)
4) it stands for [g’] when preceded by c - secan [gg}(say)
III) the letter h:
1) stands for [x] a) between a back vowel and a consonant
tāhte [x] (taught)
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