This article considers some possible influence of translation on the frequent
and biased characterization of Old English as a 'primitive language', as a
language at a 'primary stage of development', 'formally simpler' than
others. Some common and traditional errors of translation turn out to be
relevant to the case, as for example, the attention paid almost exclusively
to lexicographic problems, as opposed to those of syntax, both in theory
and in practice. The often useful and often mistakenly applied concepts of
'version', 'modern interpretation', etc. of old texts operate as a second
factor, this one imposing the thought that two stages of the same language
must obligatorily constitute two close systems. A third aspect considered is
the underlying, permanent and clearly unfair comparison established
between old languages and modern ones. And the list, obviously is not
complete.
