origin of YESTERDAY

Question

Hi,My Longman says that today's 'yesterday' is the descendant of  the Old English "giestran dag". I don't understand .... If a word combination is transcribed as "giestran dag", how can it be pronounced close enough to the modern "yesterday"?  If you could help me solve this puzzle?mus-te

Philip · Accepted Answer

If the OE pronunciation was close to gyestran (or perhaps even without the g), I don't see it as much of a stretch (especially over so many centuries).

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Philip I don't see it as much of a stretch (especially over so many centuries).

I see.

In any case, please help me finalize this "micro topic"...

What is the first (consonant) sound in "gyestran/giestran"?
"G" like in "to give", or "DZ" like in "jazz"?

Which syllable is stressed in "gyestran"?

Philip · Answer

MUSCOVITEIn any case, please help me finalize this "micro topic"...

It has been 50 years since I studied Old English, and I no longer have that text. Your best bet is to Google "history of English language". I'm not sure you'll get a site with much detail in changes, but it'll be a good place to start.

Blue Jay · Answer

In Old English a G was usually pronounced like g in give or grip when it preceded another consonant or an a, o or u. It was usually pronounced as a y as in yellow when it preceded an e or i, or at the end of a word if it followed e or i. The stress would normally be on the first syllable, except for verbs with a prefix, like for- or be-, where the stress would be on the first syllable of the stem, forgitan (to forget).

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Blue JayIt was usually pronounced as a y as in yellow when it preceded an e or i,

It is the clue to understanding the "similarity" between the Old English word and its modern counterpart! Thank you so much!

origin of YESTERDAY

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions