FAQ
About the Newsletter
What is the Dead Language Society?
It’s a newsletter about the history of the English language: where it came from, how it changed, and why it’s so weird. Each issue takes a single question (Where did the word dog come from? Could Beowulf see blue? Why does English not use accents on letters?) and follows the evidence wherever it leads, usually across a thousand years or more.
No background in linguistics is required. If you’re curious about language and enjoy a good mystery, you’re the target audience.
How often do you publish?
I publish every Wednesday. If you’re a free subscriber, you’ll receive an issue every other week. Paid subscribers receive every issue, roughly four per month. The first section of each paid post is also available above the paywall, usually around 1,000 words or so.
Who writes this?
I’m Colin Gorrie. I have a PhD in linguistics and I’ve spent an unreasonable portion of my life reading Old English, Old Norse, Latin, Sanskrit, and Ancient Greek. I’m also the author of Ōsweald Bera: An Introduction to Old English and a partner on the Ekho ancient language app.
More about me and the newsletter on the About page.
Do I need to know anything about linguistics to read this?
Not a thing. Every technical concept is introduced through a concrete example before I give it a name. If you’ve ever wondered why English spelling is so chaotic, or why we say mice but not hice, you already have everything you need.
Free vs. Paid
What do free subscribers get?
Every other Wednesday, you’ll receive a full-length issue, typically 2,000–5,000 words in length, exploring some corner of the history of the English language.
You’ll also receive the above-the-paywall portion of paid articles, which includes a substantial portion of the post, usually about 1,000 words in length.
What do paid subscribers get?
Everything free subscribers get, plus:
Twice the content. You receive every issue instead of every other one, roughly four per month instead of two.
The Members’ Library. Full access to every article I’ve written going back to the beginning, including paid-only pieces on topics like why English spelling will never make sense, how iambic pentameter really works, and what people get wrong about the Norman Conquest.
The Dead Language Society Book Club. A live, audio-first reading group where we read through texts from the history of English literature, no prior knowledge required.
Contrarian takes and deep dives. The paid issues tend to be where I go further out on a limb: for example, I recently argued that European languages are far more exotic than we give them credit for.
What’s the Dead Language Society Book Club?
It’s a reading group, held on Substack Live, where we read interesting texts from the history of the English language, in translation where necessary. I walk through the text passage by passage, explaining the language, the poetry, and the historical context as we go.
The first text we read was Beowulf, which we read over 6 sessions in 2025. Recordings of every session are available in the archive for paid subscribers. You can join at any point and catch up at your own pace.
Ōsweald Bera
What is Ōsweald Bera?
Ōsweald Bera is two things in one: a language textbook that teaches you Old English and a story about a very curious bear and his friends and adventures in medieval England. I like to think of it as the Old English novel that never was.
The story is written entirely in Old English, starting very simply at first and gradually increasing in the complexity of its grammatical structures and the breadth of vocabulary until, by the end, you can move smoothly into authentic Old English prose texts, such as the works of King Alfred or the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
Ōsweald Bera is suitable for complete beginners of the language but is also (I hope) a charming addition to the collection of more experienced students of Old English.
What is the best way to use Ōsweald Bera to learn Old English?
The video above goes into detail about how I recommend using Ōsweald Bera to learn Old English. If you’d prefer a non-video version, I have written a free guide for subscribers of The Dead Language Society. Just click on the subscribe button below, and you’ll get a PDF link straight to your inbox.
When will the audiobook of Ōsweald Bera be released?
The audiobook is actively in production as of February 2026. All the narration is recorded, as are most of the characters’ dialogue.
We still need to record the parts for two more actors, so we don't have a firm release date just yet. I'll post an update here as soon as I have any news. Thank you for your patience. It's going to be worth the wait!
Will there be an eBook of Ōsweald Bera?
There are currently no plans to release an eBook of Ōsweald Bera. But if you email my publisher, Vergil Press, and let them know you’d like one, they may change their minds!
I want to learn Old English from scratch - can you help me with a curriculum?
I can, indeed. In fact, I’ve written a whole suggested curriculum for you that will take you from zero knowledge of the language, all the way to reading Beowulf in the original.
How do I pronounce Old English?
If you’re after a relatively concise guide to Old English pronunciation, I’ve made just the video for you.
And for a more in-depth look at Old English pronunciation, I highly recommend this great video from Simon Roper.
Contact & Logistics
How do I get in touch?
The simplest way is to reply to any of my Substack emails; they come straight to me.
Can I send you something in the mail?
That’s incredibly kind of you, and I’m always touched when someone wants to send something. Unfortunately, I’m not able to share a mailing address. If you’d like to get in touch, the best way is to reply to any of my Substack emails.
How do I manage my subscription?
You can manage your subscription — including upgrading, downgrading, or updating your payment details — from your Substack account page. If you run into any trouble, just reply to one of my emails and I’ll do my best to help.
I’m not receiving emails. What’s going on?
First, check your spam or promotions folder: Substack emails end up there more often than you’d think. If that’s not the issue, make sure you’re subscribed (not just following) by visiting your account page. Substack also has a helpful guide to fixing delivery issues.