talkin' all medieval-like

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Xerox -- that's a good one.

I consider D&D to be pseudo-medieval -- it tries to look that way, but really isn't (consider the equality of the sexes, for example, or the general lack of prejudice against races that is assumed in the default rules). In some ways it's an improved reality.

Given the number of modern ideas we've injected into a medieval background, I find modern language to be appropriate. Medieval language is great for an individual character, but difficult -- for me at least - -to sustain.

We use a few phrases that are pseudo-medieval -- "Well met", "Anon", "what, ho!", greater formality -- "good sir", and the occasional Formal mode of English (thee, thou, etc). It's not too common in the games I've played, except to mark a particular individual character or NPC.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

What does d+d equal?

D+D = 1A

 

[Enkhidu]

As a player, I do my best to interject "midieval" terms into my language mainly through the use of swears and oaths. I try my best to shy away from the "swear words" used in modern language as exclamations, and instead use things more in keeping with a midieval bent. Example: look in Shakespeare's plays and you will see lots of instances of "s'wounds!" or "s'blood!" Both are references to Christ (and, coincindentally, most are used by characters of dubious, er, character, indicating that they filled the same niche as today's swear words). My current character uses "Bones!" as his swear of choice (referring to an old semi-religious tale of his homeland).

Our long running campaign has also created the term "Hanover's Pig," referring to the story of a knight who found a magical hog that produced fabulous feasts. The term fills the same niche as "meal ticket" in modern parlance.

 

[Fast Learner]

d+d = !d8

Though no one probably gets it. (I sure didn't get 1A.)

 

[Enkhidu]

We use a few phrases that are pseudo-medieval -- "Well met", "Anon", "what, ho!", greater formality -- "good sir", and the occasional Formal mode of English (thee, thou, etc). It's not too common in the games I've played, except to mark a particular individual character or NPC.

[Factoid] "Thee/Thou/etc" was actual not Formal English (though it certainly sounds that way), but was Familair English, reserved for single individuals and less formal occasions. "You" was meant for groups or for people you didn't know.[/Factoid]

 

[alsih2o]

Our long running campaign has also created the term "Hanover's Pig," referring to the story of a knight who found a magical hog that produced fabulous feasts. The term fills the same niche as "meal ticket" in modern parlance.

BA-DAM! this is what i was looking for

 

[shilsen]

It's probably worth noting that even though the term medieval gets thrown around a lot with regards to D&D, the settings and language are much more Renaissance in character. If people were using medieval language for their characters, for example, almost nobody at the average gaming table would understand them, since they would need to be speaking in Middle English (think Chaucer). Someone who throws a little Shakespearean jargon into his character's speech is speaking modern English in its earliest form, i.e. what was used during the English Renaissance. Which does also tend to match most of the non-magical technology levels in the core D&D rulebooks.

Then again, maybe it's only worth noting for literature geeks like me

 

[herald]

[Factoid] "Thee/Thou/etc" was actual not Formal English (though it certainly sounds that way), but was Familair English, reserved for single individuals and less formal occasions. "You" was meant for groups or for people you didn't know.[/Factoid]

You wasn't reserved for people you didn't know, it was reserved for people above your station or your equals. Hence the term that exist still to day when some one flatters you on a something and says, "It's you".

Thee, thou were used to for lowers. If used to someone and lower, it could be percieved as an insult. Which could lead to some serious problems.

The royal "we" also comes from this period. This is still in effect today when rulers considered themselves tied with the land.

As far as "P&Qs" I have heard that in some cases that that the story goes farther. In parts of Britton is was considered a health risk to share drinking mugs. So certain barkeeps started mugs set aside for regulars. As regulars are often want to do, they would want to keep a sor to tab. So the Barkeeps would would cut a bit off of the peg they had holding the mug on the wall and (a little for a pint, more for a quart) and when the peg was all gone, the patron had used up his credit.

 

[jgbrowning]

The millere was a stout carl for the nones;
Ful byg he was of brawn, and eek of bones.
That proved wel, for over al ther he cam,
At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram.
He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre;
Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre,
Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed.
His berd as any sowe or fox was reed,
And therto brood, as though it were a spade.
Upon the cop right of his nose he hade
A werte, and theron stood a toft of herys,
Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys;
His nosethirles blake were and wyde.
A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde.
His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys.
He was a janglere and a goliardeys,
And that was moost of synne and harlotries.
Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thries;
And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee.
A whit cote and a blew hood wered he.
A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne,
And therwithal he broghte us out of towne.

You can still understand a lot, but a lot is also different. I guess that's why it's called "middle english."

joe b.

 

[herald]

It's probably worth noting that even though the term medieval gets thrown around a lot with regards to D&D, the settings and language are much more Renaissance in character. If people were using medieval language for their characters, for example, almost nobody at the average gaming table would understand them, since they would need to be speaking in Middle English (think Chaucer). Someone who throws a little Shakespearean jargon into his character's speech is speaking modern English in its earliest form, i.e. what was used during the English Renaissance. Which does also tend to match most of the non-magical technology levels in the core D&D rulebooks.

Then again, maybe it's only worth noting for literature geeks like me

Hmm, that's not really true. Shakesphere was certainly ahead of his time. And he certainly invented many of the words. It would take time for his words to make it out of London proper and into common usage. The type of English used by some people in Medieval England would depend on what time your talking about. For a time England's Parlement strictly used French. <pardon my spelling, I'm rushing through this> From the time forward of 1066, Many parts of England become fragmented by regional dialects just due to the influx of Norman invaders.