Yesterday, you may recall, we met Sir John Betjeman, and speculated on the way modern technology might have influenced his poetry. Today, I'm going back a bit further; to the 14th century, in fact. I have read (and enjoyed) Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, both in modern and middle English. So, I wondered, how would the poet have viewed one of our present-day computer users? Read on, but first an apology. I don't regard computer users as geeks, necessarily. But the word 'Geake' leds itself so well to Middle English.
Would Chaucer have used a computer, had there been one available? Probably. A laptop would be far easier to use on the back of a horse than the conventional quill pen; no need to carry around the water, oak galls, iron nails and gum arabic necessary to make the ink; and no need for a bag of pounce to prepare the parchment for writing. But he might have had a problem using Microsofte Worde; Middle English spelling was rather random, so I think a spell-checker would have been out of the question.
I've done now. Oh, but a quick note on Middle English pronunciation. You pronounce every letter. For example, 'manne' is pronounced 'mann-er'; 'lappe-toppe' is 'lapper-topper'; and so on. Otherwise the verse doesn't scan properly. Now I've really done.
A Geake ther was, a manne from neare Brightonne
That ynto cybere systemes had y-gone.
His cloothe was chepe, a teeshirte clad his breste
Wyth Thunderbirds are Go writ on the cheste.
A payre of Convers traynours dyd he weare
Than semeth hadd ben maulyd by a beare.
His breeches wer ful lowe, and dyd hys arse
Shine lyk the Moone to folke that dyd y-passe.
And now that I do thinke it, sooth to saye
This moost hav bene a dressen-downe daye.
A lappe-toppe holden he in honde
And typen texte that no wight understonde.
Hys conversatioun was nat for me
It was in trewth like talkynge wyth a tre.
He spook in Englysshe, but with wordes straunge
As 'Blog' and 'Twitter' like a manne deraunge.
This worthie man hath fiftie poundes a yeare
But sooth to sayn had naught betwixte his eare.
This wight dyd not to Caunterburie go
To seek the Hooly Blisful Martir; no.
Hys purpose was but pagan I recalle
He wended there a netwoork to installe.
But, nathelees he kepte our companie
Unto the inne at holy Caunterbrie.
Herein we dyd essaye to mak hem drinke
But he was jooste a lyte-weet, I doe thinke.
For after only oon smal disshe of ale
He turnyd grene and vomit yn the payle.
TANKA TUESDAY...SYNONYMS
2 hours ago
8 comments:
Easier perhaps, but not easy. A laptop is fiddly enough when your bum is on the couch, using it on a horse would be a nightmare!
Dude, I am out of my league with this one. You are amazing! Microsofte Worde, love it! Is that what you get installed for free on a Walmart brand laptop?
This could be my favorite post!
Oh I am lauffing my arser orffe!
Well done you. Not quite as tedious as the real thing and far more amusing. Who's next?
Mo - I feel sure the medieval user would have designed a leathern slynge or similar, all the better to hold it with!
CG - Ah, not forgetting Wyndowes. And, prithee, what is this Wallle Marte of which thou speakest?
Rob - Wait till we get to the archaic letter 'S', that was written or printed like an 'f', thus: Oh I do like to be befide the feafide! What a filly fod I've become! Who'f next, you afk? Watch thif fpace...
I do like this, Chris! I think it should be set to music of the era too!
Raph - What a great idea! All we need are a couple of sackbuts, some shawms, and a pair of nakers. I kid you not!
Hi Chris,
I have not read Chaucer in modern or middle English but if it is anything like this, it should be a hoot! I tugge mye forelocke right welle to thee.
Gode morowe, wel-beloved Derrick!
If my poem hath yeve yow plesour,
Soth to seyn tis gode as tresour!
In other words...if you liked it...ta!
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