Why we should go back to writing in runes

Summary

This video explores the historical and potential modern use of runes, an ancient alphabet predating the Roman alphabet for English. It discusses their origins in Scandinavia, their evolution into the futhorc used by the Anglo-Saxons, and their misuse by extremist groups like the Nazis. The script also touches on the cultural significance of runes, their aesthetic appeal, and the possibility of their revival, highlighting the work of J.R.R. Tolkien who incorporated runes in his works. The video challenges viewers to reconsider runes as a viable writing system and provides resources for further exploration.

Takeaways

• 🔠 Runes were an ancient alphabet used to write the English language before the adoption of the Roman alphabet.
• 📜 The Elder Futhark, used from the 2nd to the 7th century, is the oldest known runic alphabet, originating in Scandinavia.
• ✏️ Runes were primarily used for carving on wood, metal, or stone, reflecting the limited writing materials of the time.
• 🌐 The similarity between runes and the Roman alphabet suggests extensive cultural exchange in ancient Europe.
• 🏺 The use of runes was not limited to Scandinavia; they were also adapted for Old English in the form of the futhorc.
• 📚 J.R.R. Tolkien, author of 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', incorporated runes and Old English into his works, demonstrating their modern potential.
• 🔮 While runes have been associated with mysticism and divination, their primary function was as a writing system.
• 🚫 The appropriation of runes by extremist groups, notably the Nazis, has led to their misuse and negative connotations.
• 🌐 The Bluetooth logo, derived from runes, is a modern example of their continued cultural relevance.
• 👕 The video script suggests that runes could be a viable writing system for modern English, with certain advantages over the current alphabet.

Q & A

What are runes and why were they used historically?

Runes are an ancient alphabet used to write down the English language before the adoption of the Roman alphabet. They were specifically designed to efficiently represent the sounds of Old English and were used in Scandinavia from around the 2nd century.

How does the runic alphabet differ from the Roman alphabet?

The runic alphabet is designed to represent the sounds of Old English more efficiently, with characters that are specifically tailored to the language. It includes unique letters like 'thorn' and 'wynn' which represent sounds that require multiple letters in the Roman alphabet.

What is the connection between J.R.R. Tolkien's works and runes?

J.R.R. Tolkien, a linguist and author, incorporated runes and Old English into his works, such as 'The Hobbit' and the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. He used runes in the illustrations and even wrote some text, like the dwarvish language, using Anglo-Saxon runes to represent Modern English.

Why have runes been considered inadequate for modern use?

Runes have been considered inadequate due to the significant effort required to replace existing Latin alphabet text with runic equivalents and the need to relearn reading and writing for many people. Additionally, their association with extremist groups has tainted their image.

What is the origin of the Elder Futhark, and how was it used?

The Elder Futhark originated in southern Scandinavia around the 2nd century. It was used for carving on wood, metal, or stone objects, often for marking ownership, craftsmanship, or as memorials.

How did the Anglo-Saxon futhorc differ from the Elder Futhark?

The Anglo-Saxon futhorc was an adapted version of the Elder Futhark designed to better suit Old English. It included additional characters to represent specific sounds in the language, such as two new vowel runes to account for Old English's complex vowel system.

What are some examples of everyday uses of runes in Scandinavia?

In Scandinavia, runes were used for a variety of everyday purposes, including inscriptions on objects, prayers, declarations of love, and even humorous messages like a tavern inscription telling someone to go home.

How have runes been misused in recent history?

Runes have been misused by extremist groups, most notably the Nazis, who adopted them based on distorted beliefs about their ancient meanings and symbolism. This misuse has tainted the perception of runes for some people.

What is the significance of the Bluetooth logo in relation to runes?

The Bluetooth logo is a combination of the runes for 'H' and 'B', which are the initials of Harald Bluetooth, a Viking king known for uniting multiple tribes. This symbol is a modern representation of the historical significance of runes.

What are some of the unique features of the runic alphabet that make it stand out?

The runic alphabet has unique features such as each letter having a name that is a meaningful word starting with the sound the letter represents, and the inclusion of letters like 'thorn', 'wynn', and the 'ng' rune, which represent sounds more efficiently than the Latin alphabet.