ith some pronunciations memorized, and some simple rules of grammar impressed, the final (and eternal) step is to accumulate a vocabulary. The best method is learn from the best, read your Shakespeare. The two volume Shakespeare Lexicon by Alexander Schmidt contains all the words you might require. Or be filth your desire, try Shakespeare's Bawdy by Eric Partridge or the Dictionary of Sexual Puns by Frankie Rubinstein.

• anon (until later)
• morrow (day)
• e'en (even/evening)
• fare-thee-well (goodbye)

• aye/yea (yes)
• nay (no)
• ne'r (never)
• oft (often)
• wherefore (why)
• mayhap/perchance/belike (maybe)
• enow (enough)
• aroint (away)
• verily (very/truly)
• prithee/pray (please)
• fie (a curse)
• grammarcy (thank you)

See also: English through the Ages by William Brohaugh

Index | Costumes | Acting | Language | RPFI | Education
Search