Hear What Shakespeare Sounded Like in the Original Pronunciation
Briefly

The article discusses an intriguing experiment at London's Globe Theatre, aimed at reviving the original pronunciation of Shakespeare's plays. Linguist David Crystal and actor Ben Crystal explore how Shakespearean English, particularly from around 1600, differed significantly from today's English. The Globe's efforts have yielded unexpected audience enthusiasm for experiencing Shakespearean performances as they would have originally sounded, revealing linguistic nuances that modern interpretations often overlook. By examining historical observations and phonetic evidence, audiences can better appreciate the subtleties and rich wordplay in Shakespeare's works.
The Globe Theatre aimed to recapture the original look and feel of Shakespearean productions, prompting a revival of interest in Early Modern English's pronunciation.
Citing evidence, linguist David Crystal helps to reconstruct Early Modern English and demonstrates how Shakespeare’s plays sounded to audiences of the time.
Through a modern demonstration, the audience experiences the linguistic nuances lost in contemporary performance, illustrating the rich wordplay of Shakespeare's original language.
By revisiting original pronunciations, the Globe Theatre not only enlightens audiences about Shakespearean poetry but creates a deeper connection to the playwright's intent.
Read at Open Culture
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