Welcome to The Dead Language Society

… where every week I take you on a guided tour through the history of English and its relatives. Together, we’ll come to understand the ancient and medieval worlds on their own terms.

What to expect

You can expect to receive a new issue of the Dead Language Society newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday. Each issue explores a topic where language and history collide.

Join now to:

Explore the history of English

Follow the journey of the English language from its ancient roots to its global present, discovering the forces that shaped it along the way.

Immerse yourself in ancient and mediaeval history

Experience the past through the eyes of those who lived it, understanding their thoughts and culture through the words they left behind.

Learn the stories behind the stories

Uncover the hidden linguistic connections that have shaped our literature, from Beowulf to Shakespeare and beyond.

About me

I'm Colin Gorrie, a PhD linguist and ancient language teacher. My specialities are Old English, historical linguistics, and ancient language paedagogy. I'm also the author of Ōsweald Bera, the first graded reader for Old English.