Old Low German meaning

Old Low German refers to the language spoken and written in medieval northern Germany and the Netherlands from the 9th to the 12th centuries.


Old Low German definitions

Word backwards dlO woL namreG
Part of speech The phrase "Old Low German" is a proper noun phrase. Each word in the phrase is a proper noun, and together they form a specific term used to refer to a certain historical language and dialect.
Syllabic division Old Low Ger-man
Plural The plural of the word "Old Low German" is "Old Low Germans".
Total letters 12
Vogais (4) o,o,e,a
Consonants (9) o,l,d,w,g,r,m,n

Old Low German, also known as Old Saxon, is an ancient West Germanic language that was spoken in what is now northern Germany and the Netherlands. It is one of the earliest recorded forms of Low German, a group of Low Franconian dialects. Old Low German was primarily spoken during the early Middle Ages, from the 5th to the 12th century.

History of Old Low German

Old Low German was used in a variety of historical texts, including legal documents, religious texts, and epic poetry. The earliest known written examples of Old Low German date back to the 8th century, with important manuscripts such as the Heliand, a poetic retelling of the Gospels.

Features of Old Low German

Old Low German shares many characteristics with other Old Germanic languages, such as Old English and Old High German. It had a complex inflectional system with grammatical genders, cases, and strong and weak verbs. Like other Germanic languages, Old Low German also underwent significant vowel changes known as the High German consonant shift.

Decline and Influence

As the Middle Ages progressed, Old Low German began to decline in importance due to the rise of Middle Low German and the influence of Latin and Old High German. By the 12th century, Old Low German had largely evolved into Middle Low German, which would go on to become the dominant language in northern Germany and the Netherlands.

  • Low German
  • West Germanic
  • West Germanic
  • inflectional system


Old Low German Examples

  1. The origins of English can be traced back to Old Low German influences.
  2. Scholars study Old Low German to understand the development of the English language.
  3. Old Low German texts offer valuable insights into medieval history.
  4. Linguists analyze the grammar structure of Old Low German sentences.
  5. Old Low German alphabet is different from modern English alphabet.
  6. Historians appreciate the preservation of Old Low German manuscripts.
  7. Old Low German words have left a lasting impact on English vocabulary.
  8. People interested in linguistics often explore Old Low German literature.
  9. Old Low German pronunciations can be challenging for English speakers.
  10. Students learn about Old Low German culture through its linguistic heritage.


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  • Updated 31/03/2024 - 20:55:54