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Possessive Pronouns

Meanings

I ask for help

I ask for help

(Standard Modern English)

my

your

his

her

its

our

your

their

(Shakespearean / KJV English)

my

thy

his

her

its

our

your

their

Thee

Thy

Thou

Archaic Pronouns

of English

Thou /ðaʊ/ = you

Thee /ðiː/ = you

Thine /ðaɪn/ = yours

Thy /ðaɪ/ = your

Ye /jiː/ = you

Thine

Ye

Myth #1:

"These pronouns are obsolete"

Reality:

These pronouns have a valuable

cultural importance

in English language

Usage

Thou = singular (s.) = 2nd person

Thee = singular (s.) = 2nd person

Thine = singular (s.) = 2nd person

Thy = singular (s.) = 2nd person

Ye = plural (pl.) = 2nd person

&

Religion

Literature

My heart is

My heart is

(Shakespearean / KJV English)

mine

thine

his

hers

its

ours

yours

theirs

(Standard Modern English)

mine

yours

his

hers

its

ours

yours

theirs

Historically associated with...

Personal Pronouns

KJV English

Shakespearean

English

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

art my friend

=

are my friend

Subject pronouns

(Shakespearean / KJV English)

I

Thou

He

She

It

We

Ye

They

Subject pronouns

(Standard Modern English)

I

You

He

She

It

We

You

They

Not so archaic...!

Myth #2:

"Those pronouns are

unpractical samples of Middle English"

Reality:

Shakespearean English is not Middle English,

but Early Modern English!

and it's still used by some people

Perceptions

art my brothers

are my brothers

=

Appreciation

Criticism

Religious contexts:

* Prayers to God

*Theology / Bible studies

*Biblical readings / Sermons

Religious music:

* Christian hymns

* Christmas Carols

1. Some people advocate the use of archaic pronouns

in religious contexts, given that, in Scripture, they are more specific and more accurate than "you".

2. Others like the esthetic writing style and

poetic sound that their literary compositions acquire with archaic pronouns.

1. Many English-speakers are reluctant to the use of archaic pronouns, feeling that they are difficult to understand.

2. Others feel that these pronouns are "outdated" and confusing.

Contemporary Studies:

* College Literature

* Literary works

* Formal compositions

* Lyric Poetry

* Sonnets

Authentic materials

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

―Jesus Christ

(Mark 12:30-31

KJV 1611)

"How Great Thou Art" is another famous

hymn full with archaic pronouns. It has also been sung in modern times by prominent artists like:

* Elvis Presley (1967).

* Mahalia Jackson

* Johnny Cash

* Alan Jackson

* Sandy Patty

* Gladys Knight (1968)

* Donna Summer

* Susan Boyle

* Carrie Underwood (2011)

* Steven Curtis Chapman

* Yolanda Adams

* Kim Walker Smith

...and many others...

"Thou wilt permit me to sit beside thee, Serranita ? " " With much pleasure," she replied, " though I am surprised that for me thou leavest the beauties in the saloon. Thou knowest me, perchance ?"

―Charles Dickens,

Bentley's Miscellany (1836-1868)

"In Language meet, thy Talents, Temper, mind

Thy solid worth, they captivating Grace!

Thou friend and ornament of Mankind!"

― Jane Austen,

To the Memory of Mrs. Lefroy (1804)

"Just a Closer Walk With Thee" is song

containing archaic pronouns

that has been covered by many artists, including:

* Elvis Presley (1958)

* Mahalia Jackson, "The Queen of Gospel music", (1972).

* Albertina Walker "The 2nd Queen of Gospel music", (1975).

* Louis Armstrong, "The Founding Father of Jazz music", (1960).

* Ella Fitzgerald, "The Queen of Jazz music", (1967).

* Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash (1969).

* Van Morrison (1991).

* Willie Nelson (1996)

* Eric Clapton (2011)

*

...and many others...

"My sin Thou hast forgiven me;

Canst Thou forgive my blasphemy?

Canst Thou return to this dark hell,

And in my burning bosom dwell?

And canst Thou die that I may live?

And canst Thou pity and forgive?'"

― William Blake,

The Everlasting Gospel (ca. 1810)

In British & Scottish dialects

=

He gave his love to

"Be Thou My Vision" is a traditional Irish hymn.

1. How many times do you hear "archaic pronouns"?

2. Which pronouns?

Object pronouns

(Shakespearean / KJV English)

me

thee

him

her

it

us

you

them

Object pronouns

(Standard Modern English)

me

you

him

her

it

us

you

them

Bibliography:

http://www.kjv-only.com/theethou.html

http://shakespeare.about.com/od/teachingshakespeare/a/shakespeare_words.htm

http://av1611.com/kjbp/articles/bacon-theethou.html

http://www.ecclesia.org/truth/thou.html

http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:3508/FULLTEXT01.pdf

http://alt-usage-english.org/pronoun_paradigms.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thou

Pictures taken from:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

http://pixabay.com/

Regional

Contexts

By some people in regions like:

* Northern England

* Lowland Scotland

* Yorkshire

* Cumbria

* East Midlands

* Western England

Music

Archaic pronouns have also been used in

modern times by some musicians who perform:

* Negro spirituals

(African-American traditional songs)

* Gospel music

* Country music

* Jazz music

* Christian music

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