þ and ð

These are two Old English letters which are both 'th' sounds. They sound like the 'th' sounds in think (þ) and that (ð). Say them aloud. Can you hear the difference between the two 'th' sounds?

Bullet

Click on the audio button below to hear the Beowulf text being read. As you listen follow the words of the text shown below.

Bullet Can you see any words that look familiar?

Beowulf and Grendel's Mother

Lines 1357 -1367 and 1377 - 1382

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-Hie dygel lond
warigeath, wulfhleoþu, -windige næssas,
frecne fen-gelad, -ðær fyrgen-stream
under næssa genipu -niþer gewiteð,
flod under foldan. -Nis þæt feor heonon
mil-gemearces, -þæt se mere standeð
ofer þæm hongiað -hrinde bearwas,
wudu wyrtum fæst -wæter oferhelmað.
þær mæg nihta gehwæm -nið-wundor seon,
fyr on flode. -No þæs frod leofað
gumena bearna -þæt þone grund wite.


……………. -Nu is se ræd gelang
eft æt þe anum. -Eard git ne const,
frecne stowe, -ðær þu findan miht
sinnigne secg: -sec gif þu dyrre.
Ic þe þa fæhðe -feo leanige,
eald-gestreonum, -swa ic ær dyde,
wundini golde, -gyf þu on weg cymest.

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Bullet When you have looked and listened carefully, click here to make some of the words highlight in red. This might help you identify more.
Bullet When you have made all your guesses (you could list them on paper), then check by rolling the mouse over the red words to discover their modern versions. How many did you guess?

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