4EU2: Lesson 3, Archaic Words: "Thee," "Thou," etc.

Welcome to Lesson 3! Today, we'll learn about some old words that people used in English a long time ago. These words are called archaic pronouns. They include words like thee, thou, ye, and thy. Let's find out what they mean, how people used them, and the difference between talking to one person or many people.

What Are Archaic Pronouns?

Archaic pronouns are old-fashioned words that people used instead of "you" and "your" in Middle English. One important thing to know is that these pronouns changed depending on whether you were talking to one person (singular) or more than one person (plural). Understanding these words can help us read famous writings and learn about our history.

The Pronouns:

Singular Pronouns (Talking to One Person):

• Thou: Means "you" when talking to one person as the subject. Example: "Thou art my friend." (You are my friend.)
• Thee: Means "you" when talking to one person as the object. Example: "I give this to thee." (I give this to you.)
• Thy: Means "your" when talking to one person. Example: "Thy book is on the table." (Your book is on the table.)
• Thine: Means "yours" or "your" before a vowel sound. Example: "Is this apple thine?" (Is this apple yours?)

Plural Pronouns (Talking to More Than One Person):

• Ye: Means "you" when talking to a group as the subject. Example: "Ye are all welcome." (You all are welcome.)
• Your: Means "your" when talking to a group. Example: "Your books are on the table." (Your books are on the table.)

Why Learn These Words?

These words are important because they help us understand old stories and texts that are part of our culture and heritage. Many famous writings, like Shakespeare's plays and the King James Version of the Bible, use these pronouns. By learning them, we can read and appreciate these works better.

Examples in Sentences

Let's look at some sentences using these archaic pronouns:

Talking to One Person:

• "Thou shalt not lie." (You should not lie.)
• "I will help thee with thy homework." (I will help you with your homework.)
• "Remember to bring thy coat." (Remember to bring your coat.)
• "Is that book thine?" (Is that book yours?)

Talking to a Group:

• "Ye are the light of the world." (You all are the light of the world.)
• "Your friends are waiting." (Your friends are waiting.)

Practice Reading

Try reading this short passage:

"Hear me, O Lord, for thou art good. Guide me in thy ways, and I shall follow thee all the days of my life."

In modern English, this means:

"Hear me, O Lord, for you are good. Guide me in your ways, and I shall follow you all the days of my life."

Conclusion

Now you know some old English words that people used to say "you" and "your," both when talking to one person and to a group. Understanding these words helps us connect with stories and teachings from the past, which are part of our shared heritage. Next time you read a story or poem with these words, you'll know what they mean and whether they're talking to one person or many!