What is presented below is my list of rules, actually more accurately conventions, for spelling and word forms in the Elizabethan language. There are some important points which must be made before this is presented in order to clarify what is presented below.
The first point is that I do understand that there is research already done on this particular subject in a more general way. However, this research is clearly focused on the specific time period, dialect and form of the language which is presented, thus I believe that in some ways this presents a clearer picture of this specific part of the language.
The second point is that all of the research presented below is based upon the words presented in my lexicon of the language rather than any external sources. What this means is that this is based on a selection of the language rather than the entirety of it. This means that the rules are more specific to the language presented in the lexicon rather than any part which is not.
The third point is that these rules are, for the most part, presented in note form rather than paragraphs about the elements. This is important as any misunderstandings must be re-read and remembered that they are based upon what is presented.
Finally it is this set of rules and the lexicon on which I will be basing the final project upon which all of the research up to this point in time is based. It is hoped that with this information a reasonably accurate representation of the Elizabethan language of the 1590's will be formed and presented.
Elizabethan Language – Own Research
Foundation
Above all rules below, phonetic spelling of word is greatest
consideration, rules then phonetics. The spelling was founded in speaking the
words and thus the phonetics are most considered, following this would be the
rules below, most of which are founded more in the typesetting of the print
than actual spelling.
Most important of all these rules apply to printed works
rather than hand-written or spoken texts, hence the importance of typesetting
in the rules. Of note is also that this is for the London Dialect of
Elizabethan English of the decade of the 1590s.
Use of “S”
General
Capitals always stay as “S”
“s” at end of word, or before punctuation mark e.g.
“abus’de”
“Significant” words begin with “s” e.g. “skil” and “skirmiſh” most likely for emphasis
Use “ſ” in
middle of word, or at the beginning of the word, not generally at the end
Specific instances of use will follow
Not replaced where “s” is before “f”, i.e. “-sf”
Plurals
Simple case of the addition of “-s” to the end of the root
word, very few exceptions to this rule
Plural form of “-f” to “-ves” e.g. “wolf – wolves” remains
the same
Plural form of “-y” to “ies” is followed in some
circumstances and not others, in some cases the “-y” remains and followed with
“-es”, some of this could be due to the “i” to “y” and vice versa convention.
Possessives
Absence of apostrophe to mark ownership
Plural conventions used for the addition of “-s”
No difference between singular and plural ownership
indicators
Double “S”
In most instances a double “s” will have both changed to
“long s”
Some instances a double “s” the first is changed the second
is not i.e. “ſs”
No clear convention as to when the change is or is not made,
however it is most common when followed by “-ing” or “-ion” or “-ity” ending
More than likely a typesetting rather than spelling
convention
-ness
Two common endings “-nes” and “neſſe”
Both endings may be used on the same word
Typesetting rather than spelling convention
-less
Two common endings “-les” and “leſſe”
Both endings may be used on the same word
Typesetting rather than spelling convention
“S” and “C”
Phonetic spelling, change between “s” and “c” in the
spelling is not constant, it is an individual determination
Also instances of additional change in words to accommodate
change in spelling e.g. “decide” to “diſcide”.
“S” and “Z”
Both interchangeable in most instances
“s” in modern may be “z” in Elizabethan or vice versa
In most instances the consideration is phonetic rather than
a typesetting consideration as there is evidence of other letters changing to
accommodate the letter.
“E”
Some words have an extra “e” placed on the end, only after a
consonant, possibly to extend the sound of a vowel or vowels in the middle of
the word, most likely a typesetting consideration
“E” and “I”
Change from “em-” to “im-” and also “en-” to “in-”, for
phonetic considerations
Also evidence of no change in some words with the these
beginnings
Some change of “e” and “i” in the middle of words for
phonetic change, however this does not always occur, could be typesetting or
phonetic cause.
“I” and “Y”
Conventions not solid for the most part, very flexible in
the use of the conventions. More likely to be typesetting conventions than
spelling conventions
“i” to “y” in middle of word, not always, a vowel before is
common
“y” to “i” in middle of word, rare but present
“ie” to “y” at end of word, not always
“y” to “ie” at end of word, not always
“y” to “ye” at end of word, not always
“J” and “I”
“j” to “i” in the middle of words, most instances
Roman numerals – last “i” to “j”
“j” to “i” at beginning of words, most instances, especially
where a capital
(more research required: not distinct due to Latin
derivation)
“L”
May be doubled where single in modern spelling, applies to
middle as well as the end
May be single where doubled in modern spelling, especially
in cases where a plural is formed, or ending added. Cases for both middle and
end of word.
“U” and “V”
“v” to “u” in the middle of a word e.g. above – aboue
“v” remains unchanged at the beginning of the word
“u” to “v” changed at the beginning of a word
“u” remains unchanged in the middle of a word
The exception is in the title of a piece in which “u” is
changed to “v” in the title where it is placed in capitals of any form
“W”
Instances of “vv” instead of “w” very much interchangeable
Typesetting consideration rather than any spelling, ligature
or single letter used
Verb Forms
“To Do”
Both “-s” and “-eth” forms used on words
Some verbs may use different endings
Some instances of “-est” rather than “-eth”
Both forms used, newer form is less prevalent than older
form, but increasing in presence
Archaic Endings
The archaic forms of verbs are present in the language, but
are increasingly losing ground to more modern forms of the words
The form of the language depends in the subject and author
As with many spellings, many of these are dependent on
typesetting as much as anything else
“-ed”, “-d” and “-t”
The past tense ending “-ed” may be replaced by “-d”, “-‘d”
or “-t”
In some instances it may also be replaced by “-de”
The use of “-t” is mostly phonetic following “sh”, “ch” or
“k”
While mostly phonetic there is an element of typesetting
consideration present in this convention
Simple addition for past tense of word
Truncated Words
Truncations otherwise unspecified below are to do with
spelling conventions of words, or lack thereof in most instances rather than
deliberate truncation of words for a purpose.
Use of ~
Truncation using tilde (~) is for the replacement of “n” or
“m”
The previous vowel has the tilde above it.
The replacement of “n” is more common than “m”
In the case of a double “m” or “n” the vowel before has the
tilde and then it is followed by a single “m” or “n” depending on the word
No definitive choice where there is more than one either “m”
or “n” in the word, this is clearly more of a typesetting choice for even lines
in the document than any spelling or pronunciation factors
The vowel “i” is not used for vowel for truncation, other
vowels all are
The most common vowels are “e” and “o”
Truncation using tilde is used both in the middle of words
and also at the end
Use of ‘
Primary truncation is the removal of “e” in “ed” words
Other words truncated, primarily removal of “e”, but also
“i” or “v” in “over-“ words
“E” sometimes accompanied by consonant in removal
Primary purpose is typesetting in prose, thus little to do
with pronunciation or spelling, however can be used to change pronunciation and
rhythm in poems and plays
“-ered” to “-red”
The removal of “e” following a consonant with past tense use
e.g. “dismembered” to “dismembred”.
In some cases an apostrophe is used, as previously
indicated, but in most cases it is not
This truncation is most likely due to typesetting, but does
also change pronunciation
Ending Doubles
Double consonant at end of words in some cases. Short words ending in vowels extended by doubling phonetic
compatible consonant. Ending doubles are more typesetting than spelling
consideration, extending words in order to keep the ends of the lines even.
I hope that this is of use to people in their own endeavours. I considered cleaning this up and presenting it better, but decided that it is better presented as it is rather than in more formal language. These are rather loose rules of the language and should be used with some knowledge of more formal rules presented in reputable sources. It is only through the examination of the language ourselves that we can really get a feel for it, rather than simply following along with rules and theories presented by others. Needless to say that I will be using the rules presented here along with research already presented to present the language in a close form to what it would have been in the period.
Cheers,
Henry.
