Valley Views

valley views Ye thorn in our language

Would it surprise you to find out that language is interesting to me? The combination of sounds and written symbols we use to convey ideas and concepts to one another is a source of endless fascination. Language’s intricate web of meaning is constantly shifting and evolving with our culture. This process brings new elements in, and in turn, discards others. Today, let’s give attention to one such long abandoned feature of the English language, the “thorn.”

English is a bit of a bizarre tongue, taking influence from a wide range of other languages. Originating as a western Germanic language, the “thorn” was brought to the British Isles by Anglo-Saxon migrants from the fifth to seventh centuries. Isolated from similar languages derived mainland Europe by the English Channel, the language began to evolve on its own. Over time early English began to displace the Celtic languages that had been dominant in the British Isles. For roughly 200 years, English made use of the runic alphabet with as many as 33 characters.

Irish missionaries who were fluent in Latin introduced the use of the Latin alphabet to write English. Slowly this method won out, replacing the older runic scripts. However, two runic characters remained in use while the rest of the old characters were systematically phased out.

One of these two runic letters was the “thorn.” The letter appeared similar to a lowercase b with an extended line downwards, like this: þ. This character represented the same sound as the modern digraph “th.” Thus, to write the word “the” in these older versions of English one would simply add the letter “e” after the “thorn.” While writing remained largely done by hand, having these unique characters in addition to the Latin alphabet presented no issue. However, this would change with the invention of movable type.

In mainland Europe, starting in the late 1400s, new methods of industrial printing were emerging after the breakthrough invention of the Gutenberg printing press. These faster, more modern ways of copying written text proliferated in many of the neighboring countries. English printers imported most of the early sets of moveable type from foundries in The Netherlands and Denmark. The Dutch and the Danes both used the Latin alphabet which made their letters compatible with English. However, these European languages didn’t use the “thorn”, which was the only runic letter left in common use by the 1500s. Thus, printers looked for a substitute character among the Latin letters and eventually settled on the letter “y.” Combining this substitute character with “e” to make “the” created the infamous “ye.” So, the correct pronunciation of this strange word is just “the.”

This “y” remained in use for a couple of hundred years. The first printing of the King James Bible used this y substitute method, but this was changed in subsequent editions. Today, the use of “ye” is classified as pseudo-archaic; used to make things appear older than they really are. However, there is one place where the “thorn” remains in common use: Iceland. The Icelandic language is the only one in the world to retain the use of this special letter in its modern form. “Thorn” is the 30th character of their 32-letter alphabet which mixes Latin characters with runic ones.

So, the next time you see a sign evoking a bit of medieval flare using “ye,” you will know where this quirky feature originated from and the fascinating way our language has evolved over the years. In addition to this, I hope you will remember how to pronounce it ye correct way.

ben there

DONE that Ben Stone Media Production, Valley Journal

Town Pump Challenge

It has been an incredible two and a half years. Thanks to the dedication and flexibility of our volunteers, the Polson Loaves & Fish Pantry, Inc. was able to stay open throughout the pandemic. The support from our community and outside our community has been constant and generous. We all thank you.

The past months have brought new challenges. As prices on everything have risen, more and more of our neighbors are needing help. This summer our storage room looked like Mother Hubbard’s cupboard, due to supply chain issues. This has eased considerably as we have been able to purchase more shelf stable food from Montana Food Bank Network at wholesale prices. Perishable foods such as bread, eggs, and margarine we buy locally. Our bills are higher, but we are able to get foods to distribute. We would also like to thank all our local growers as they have contributed a lot of fresh produce and fruit for distribution.

With 1 in 9 Montanans (1in 6 children) experiencing food insecurity the Town Pump is ready

Valley Views Mary Martin Polson Loaves & Fish Pantry

see page 11

LETTER POLICY

Letters to the editor are welcome. The content is the opinion of the letter writer and not the newspaper. The decision to publish letters is made by the editor.

Letters regarding candidates in the Nov. 8 midterm election will not be printed after the Oct. 26 issue in order to allow candidates time for response.

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challenge

from page 10

to roll up their sleeves and work with us to raise the needed funds. This year marks 21 years since the Town Pump Charitable Foundation began the annual campaign to raise funds for Montana food banks. Our pantry alone served 722 households from Sept. 1, 2021 – Sept. 1, 2022, of those we served 1,971 Household Members, and of those, 707 were first time clients. Just to give you an idea of the age range we serve, 1,039 Adults, 249 Seniors, and 683 children.

Town Pump Charitable Foundation “Be a Friend in Deed, Help those In Need” campaign started Sept.1 and runs through Nov. 30. The Town Pump team has set a goal this year of collecting $500,000 in donations statewide for their food bank partners. This year Town Pump is working with 107 food bank partners who are each given a goal. This year our goal is $15,000 that they will match. We depend on this campaign, grants, and other donations for all of our funding through the year. Our pantry is totally staffed by volunteers, but we have the usual power, water, gas, and insurance bills like everyone. You help us keep our doors open.

We can still use you paper egg cartons, and grocery store bags, both plastic and paper. Thank you so much for your wonderful support of the pantry and our neighbors!

vj

Elephant in the womb

Editor,

There’s an elephant in the womb. Montana Senator Steve Daines co-signed S. Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham’s proposed bill for a national abortion ban.

Traditionally the Republican party has stated they are for individual rights, and has supported keeping power in the state government rather than in federal laws.

Apparently these stances have flipped. This is no longer your father’s Republican party. My mother, who would be over 100 if she were still alive, would no longer recognize it as her Republican party. That’s the elephant in the room, or the womb in this case; the obvious situation being ignored that a drastic change has happened to a traditional political party that used to be respected.

The symbol of the Republican party is the elephant, and I want it to stay out of the wombs of Montana women.

Stephanie Brancati Big Arm

Thanks for care

Editor,

As an older person recovering from a difficult back surgery, I did the physical therapy at St. Luke’s where I got excellent care. Then I continued to use their machines to build back arm and leg muscles. Fortunately, I get massage work done by Sheri Todd on Cold Creek Lane in her wonderful yurt. She recommended the Tribal Health Fitness Center here in St. Ignatius.

I checked it out and they did have the machine I needed for resistance to build muscle back. It is only $20.00 a month for senior citizens, and I don’t have to buy gas to run to Ronan so often.

When I signed up, I was asked to fill out a form and given a scan tag. The form stated the rules that I would not use bad language, I would dress appropriately, clean my own machine and treat others with dignity and respect. Their staff also cleans the machines. The flat screen TV makes the workouts go much faster. Thank you for having this wonderful resource in our community.

LaVonne Olmsted St. Ignatius

106 4th Ave. W. Polson

Cute 4 bedroom 2 bath

home on two lots in the heart of Polson. Walking distance to all of Polson’s downtown shops and festivities. Oversize double garage with additional workshop and storage space. Great views of the lake, borders the city park and just 100 yards from the waters edge.

Mature trees, new composite deck, with a 20ft awning, and a large RV pad with hookups. $525,000 Shown by appointment only.

Call Klint at (406) 849-1398 for more information.