Anglish

What is Anglish?

Anglish is a kind of English which prefers native words over those borrowed from foreign languages. Anglish is linguistic purism applied to English.

For example:

Dictionary > Wordbook
Famous > Nameknown
Native > Inborn
Decide > Choose
Computer > Reckoner
Fascinating > Bewitching
Laboratory > Workshop
Ubiquitous > Everywhere
Brilliant > Bright
Ability > Skill

Look at more examples and common words here. Or search the full Anglish wordbook for a specific word.

How Anglish Works
Linguistic purism in English is achieved by simply choosing to use a native word over a borrowed word, or if there is no modern native word for a given concept, Old English words can be revived and updated to modern spelling and phonology to be used for a modern meaning. While Anglish does have mainly Germanic vocabulary, it is not meant to be a pan-germanic language like Folksprak, but rather a tongue that is "more English than modern English". It is worth noting that some Anglishers are more strict than others and some go so far as to reverse French influence on spelling.

Using the example that YouTuber Rob Words used, here is the preamble to the US Constitution in modern English vs Anglish.

English "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Anglish "We the Folk of the Foroned Riches, to make a more flawless oneship, build rightness, bring frith and stillness to our land, shield one another, uphold the overall welfare, and hold fast the Blessings of Freedom to ourselves and our offspring, do foresay and lay down this lawbook for the foroned riches of Americksland."

History Of Anglish

The term "Anglish" was made up by Paul Jennings in his 1966 Punch Articles, however the desire to remove foreign influence from the English language is a tradition that goes back all the way to 1066 when the Norman invasion brought in the majority of foreign vocabulary to English.

Many English writers such as Thomas Wilson, or Roger Ascham, throughout history have spoken out against the use of "Inkhorn Terms" or the needless borrowing of words from foreign languages as a fashion statement, something that happened often in the 16th and 17th centuries.

English scholar, John Cheke, wrote in the 16th century "I am of this opinion that our own tung should be written cleane and pure, unmixt and unmangeled with borowing of other tunges; wherein if we take not heed by tiim, ever borowing and never paying, she shall be fain to keep her house as bankrupt."

William Barnes, a writer and poet from the 19th century, famously called for the removal of Latin, French and Greek vocabulary from English, and promoted Anglo-Saxon substitutes, like wortlore for botany, and welkinfire for meteor. More about Barnes was documented by author Andrew Phillips in his book "The Rebirth of England and English".

In the 20th century, William Strunk Jr. wrote in The Elements of Style, "Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready and able. Anglo-Saxon is a livelier tongue than Latin, so use Anglo-Saxon words". Another 20th century author, Elias Molee, called for a fully Germanic language for Americans that he called "Amerikan". One of Molee's books was titled "Pure Saxon English".

More recently in the 21st century, author David Cowley has released his book called "How We'd Talk If the English Had Won in 1066", among others, that goes into depth on the vocabulary and sound changes that happened to English as a result of Norman influence. (Though it is worth noting that some linguists disagree and think English still would have borrowed many French words anyway).

Cowley is not the only one making new writings in and about Anglish, there are many communities, both offline and online, from YouTube to Reddit to Discord that generate new Anglish works on a regular basis. Many creators see this form of constrained writing as inspirational and challenging to their creativity, while others see Anglish as something almost spiritual or a a way to get in touch with their ancestors and go back to their own roots.

See Also

• Anglish Forum
• Anglish Wordbook
• Anglish Subreddit
• Anglish Spacehey
• Anglish Newspaper
• Anglish Translator
• Anglish Neocities
• Anglish Discord