I. What is Archaism?
To be afeared used to mean not to be scary, but to be afraid. And how many people today understand that the word wherefore in “wherefore art thou Romeo” means why not where? How many people still say shan’t (shall not) instead of won’t? Perhaps in Britain, only. These words, which are so old that they have gone out of style, or few people know what they mean, are examples of archaisms.
An archaism (pronounced ahr-kee-iz-uh m) is an old word or expression that is no longer used with its original meaning or is only used in specific studies or areas. The word archaism is derived from the Greek word archaïkós meaning “ancient.”
II. Examples of Archaism
Because archaisms are, by definition, no longer used much, here are a few examples from Shakespeare and legal jargon, with their meanings explained:
Example 1
This above all: to thine own self be true.
This often quoted line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet has an archaism—thine—as well as archaic sentence structure. The modern translation would be: This above all: be true to yourself.
Example 2
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
A modern response to this question would be, “Do I what?” This line is also from Shakespeare. The expression “to bite one’s thumb” at someone once meant to bite and flick one’s thumb towards someone, which was an offensive and insulting gesture.
Example 3
The language of lawyers and laws is filled with archaisms such as heretofore, hereunto, thereof, etc.
Often used in Shakespearean studies, this phrase may be translated to: The lady solemnly declares too much, I think.
This last example calls attention to the fact that although archaisms are not used much anymore, they are used. If a word or phrase is not used at all anymore, in any context, it is not an archaism; it is obsolete.
III. The Importance of Using Archaisms
Archaisms exist, naturally, because language is always changing through the years unless artificially held back. Shakespeare’s English–Elizabethan English—evolved into the many dialects of modern English. Archaisms are most important because they remain in use in certain limited fields of activity—especially law, government, and religion—the most conservative and traditional areas of activity in our world. But archaisms can also be used by anyone anytime in speech or writing, to create an atmosphere of antiquity, and also, to give one’s language a feeling of official-ness, royalty, or religious authority.
IV. Examples of Archaisms in Literature
Archaisms are prominent in classic literature because literature has to be old before it can become classic, and the older a work of literature becomes, the older its words become. What’s less predictable is when a modern author uses archaisms with a certain purpose.
Example 1
If a body catch a body coming through the rye…
The title of the novel The Catcher in the Rye comes from the protagonist’s, Holden Caulfield, misunderstanding of the poem “Coming thro’ the Rye” by archaic Scottish poet Robert Burns. Below, the original poem is next to its modern translation on the left.
Original
Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need a body cry?Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need a body cry?Gin a body meet a body
Comin thro the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body,
Need a body cry?
Translation
Should a body meet a body
Comin’ through the rye,
Should a body kiss a body,
Need anybody cry?Comin’ through the rye, poor body,
Comin’ through the rye.
She’s draggin’ all her petticoats
Comin’ through the rye.Should a body meet a body
Comin’ through the glen,
Should a body kiss a body,
Need all the world know, then?
No wonder Holden was confused! This eighteenth-century poem is filled with Scottish archaisms.
It is common for modern authors to use poetic archaisms in titles or for young characters to be fond of archaic poetry, because it usually feels more profound and authoritative than everyday modern English.
V. Examples of Archaisms in Pop Culture
Here are a few examples of archaisms in pop culture:
Example 1
One day, when the glory comes
It will be ours, it will be ours
Oh, one day, when the war is one
We will be sure, we will be here sure
Oh, glory, glory
Oh, glory, gloryHands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon
Formed against, yes glory is destined
Every day women and men become legends
Sins that go against our skin become blessings
The movement is a rhythm to us
Freedom is like religion to us
Winner of the Best Original Song at the 2015 Oscars, “Glory” uses archaic language in order to stir up feelings of awe and wonder for Martin Luther King Jr. and his powerful life and vision. Although we are aware of the meaning of the word “glory,” it is used so rarely in everyday language that its use in this song brings to mind feelings of religiosity, strength, and age-old wisdom.
Example 2
On the other hand, archaisms are sometimes used in historical pieces, such as Pride and Prejudice:
Although for the most part the dialogue is understandable, some phrases are somewhat archaic. Here are a few phrases with their modern equivalents:
- “by and by I may observe” means “In the end, I think”
- “I daresay” means “It is possible that”
- “I hope to afford you more clarity” means “I hope to clarify what this means for you”
This archaic dialogue provides the movie with authenticity, imitating the language of that time period.
VI. Related Terms
Neologisms and archaisms are related in that neologisms replace archaisms. Neologisms are new words, whereas archaisms are outdated words. For example, “to dial a phone” has become an archaism because phones are no longer rotaries and “to tweet” is a neologism which only appeared in the world since Twitter became a new means of communication. Neologisms are new words or new uses for old words.
VII. In Closing
Archaisms show that as time passes, languages change. As new words replace archaisms, we forget words that we once used. What’s interesting is that we can use archaic language for many purposes, such as to sound more official, authoritative, or magical. And outdated language lives on in our most conservative areas of activity and that in itself gives it a special feeling.