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Since Europe is made up of many countries, each with its own language or dialect, the range of words is immense. In England alone, at least five languages were spoken: Old English, which evolved into Middle English by about 1150, Anglo-Norman French, Latin, Kernowek (in Cornwall) and Manx Gaelic (on the Isle of Man).

In mainland Europe people spoke Spanish, Old French, Old High German, Flemish, Dutch, Italian and many more languages, plus Latin for the educated minority.

So if you visited Cornwall in about 1250 you might hear phrases like "Meea na vidna cawza sawzneck" ( I can speak no English).

In England at that time you might hear "wassail" (be healthy) - to which the correct reply was "dringhail!"(drink health), followed by consuming large quantities of ale. You might say "Mine wanges werken me full wo" (I have a bad toothache), or "Wel love I garleek, oynons and eek lekes" (I really like garlick, onions and leeks), or "Stint thy clappe" (be quiet).

In France, some Old French phrases are "se Dex me gart"(if God guards me), al sien escient (to the best of my knowledge), sui anglois (I am English).

On the Isle of Man you might hear "Ta mee cummal ayns Mannin" (I live on the isle of Man), or "Cha nel mee toiggal" (I don't understand), "Loayr-shiu ny smelley, my sailliu" (please speak more slowly).

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13y ago

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