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'''Þ, þ''' is a letter of the [[Runic alphabet]], | '''Þ, þ''' is a letter of the [[Runic alphabet]], later adopted in some variants of the [[Latin alphabet]]: in [[Icelandic]], in [[Old English|Old]] and [[Middle English]] as well as in earlier stages of the Scandinavian languages. Its English name is '''thorn''' [ˈθɔː(ɹ)n]. It was pronounced [θ] or [ð] in English, depending on its position in the word. It is pronounced [θ] in Icelandic. | ||
==Use in English== | |||
During the [[Middle English]] period, ''þ'' was replaced progressively by the digraph ''[[th (digraph)|th]]'', while simultaneously, [[calligraphy]] was making ''þ'' more and more similar to ''y''. The only remnant of ''þ'' in current English is the definite article ''ye'', pronounced [ji] and perceived as an archaic variant of ''the'' in commercial or humoristic names such as ''Ye Olde Shoppe'' ('The Old Shop'). In fact, this ''ye'' [ji] (as opposed to the old accusative ''ye'' of ''you'') has never existed, being nothing but an erroneous reading of the old spelling ''þe'' for ''the''. | |||
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Latest revision as of 17:00, 10 November 2024
Þ, þ is a letter of the Runic alphabet, later adopted in some variants of the Latin alphabet: in Icelandic, in Old and Middle English as well as in earlier stages of the Scandinavian languages. Its English name is thorn [ˈθɔː(ɹ)n]. It was pronounced [θ] or [ð] in English, depending on its position in the word. It is pronounced [θ] in Icelandic.
Use in English
During the Middle English period, þ was replaced progressively by the digraph th, while simultaneously, calligraphy was making þ more and more similar to y. The only remnant of þ in current English is the definite article ye, pronounced [ji] and perceived as an archaic variant of the in commercial or humoristic names such as Ye Olde Shoppe ('The Old Shop'). In fact, this ye [ji] (as opposed to the old accusative ye of you) has never existed, being nothing but an erroneous reading of the old spelling þe for the.