FAQ
Historical English translator FAQ
Common questions about accuracy, privacy, model behavior, and translating between Modern English, Old English, Medieval English, and Shakespearean English.
Is Old English the same as Shakespearean English?
No. Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English, while Old English is the much earlier Anglo-Saxon language used before the Norman Conquest. Choose Old English for the Saxon / Anglo-Saxon target, or choose Shakespearean English when you want Early Modern wording such as thou, thee, doth, and hath.
Can it translate Old English into Modern English?
Yes. Use the main translation mode switch on the workbench and choose Old English -> Modern English. That mode reads Old English source text into clear present-day English and returns notes plus a compact glossary.
Which translation targets can I choose?
For Modern English input, the entry workflow lets you choose Medieval English, Old English, or Shakespearean English. Saxon English remains the site focus, and the Old English target handles the Anglo-Saxon style.
Can I use the output for academic work?
Use it as a draft or study aid, not as a certified scholarly edition. Old English grammar and dialect choices are complex, so high-stakes or academic publication should be reviewed by a qualified human reader.
Do you save my translation history?
No. The current project does not include accounts, saved history, or a translation database. Live translation sends your submitted text to the configured DeepSeek API account for generation.
Why are there style presets?
Style presets apply to the Old English target. Different Saxon-style use cases need different registers: chronicle prose is dry and event-focused, charter style is formal, and alliterative verse is better for poetic lines.
What model does the API use?
The backend defaults to deepseek-v4-flash through DeepSeek's OpenAI-compatible Chat Completions API, and the model can be changed with the DEEPSEEK_MODEL environment variable.
Still choosing a style?
For most users, start with Written Old English and Balanced register, or switch to Medieval English or Shakespearean English when the target period calls for it.
View examples