Publisher's Synopsis
A book/CD pack, 'Teach Yourself Old English (Anglo-Saxon)' is a self-access course for the independent adult learner who wants to learn to read Old English (Anglo-Saxon) texts in the original. Texts of literary and historical interest are used to introduce the language, which is then explained in simple modern English, as it is not assumed that the student has learned a foreign language before. Exercises - written, audio, and pictorial - are used to reinforce learning. Short 'cultural context' items bring the culture of medieval England to life, and explain the relevance of Old English language and literature to speakers of modern English. Selected extracts in Old English feature on the audio CD.
This CD to accompany the book has been specially recorded by teachers of Old English. Each track corresponds to a unit of the book and provides a recording of the main text(s) selected for study in that unit.
On tracks 1-3 (units 1-3) the texts are repeated phrase by phrase, giving time to practise pronunciation and master the sounds of the language.
Hearing the texts read out loud allows the reader to appreciate the rhythm and style of the original documents. It facilitates the reading process, highlights the connections with modern English, and makes the language easier to learn.
The accompanying double CD (0340 915064) is available separately, as is the book (0340 915048).
