What is ƿebtīdende?

ƿebtīdende (pronounced roughly "web-tee-den-deh") means "web tidings" in Old English — the language spoken in England from roughly 500 to 1100 AD, long before Chaucer, long before Shakespeare.

We take today's top news stories and translate them into Old English, complete with word-by-word glosses, grammar notes, and modern English paraphrases. It's a newspaper you can actually learn from.

Why?

Because Old English is fascinating and wildly underappreciated. It's the root of the language you're reading right now, yet most people have never seen a word of it. We think the best way to learn a language — even a historical one — is by reading things you actually care about. So instead of dry textbook passages, you get today's headlines.

Is this accurate?

This is a hobby project and a learning tool, not an academic resource. Our translations are generated by AI and are meant to give you a feel for Old English vocabulary, grammar, and word patterns. They won't pass peer review — but they will teach you what þ, ð, æ, and ƿ sound like, help you recognize common words, and hopefully make you curious enough to dig deeper.

Think of it as a fun gateway, not a definitive source.

Who made this?

A small group of language nerds who think dead languages deserve a second life. If you love it, hate it, or spot a glaring error — we'd love to hear from you.