Have you ever wished you could speak like a character from Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet? Translating modern English into Shakespearean language isn't just fun—it also offers a glimpse into one of the richest periods in the history of the English language. Whether you're preparing for a school project, a themed event, or just exploring the beauty of old-school eloquence, this guide will help you sound like The Bard himself.
Shakespearean English, also known as Early Modern English, was the form of English spoken during the late 15th to early 17th century. While it's largely understandable to modern readers, it includes distinct vocabulary, sentence structures, and poetic expressions.
William Shakespeare, the literary genius behind works like Macbeth and Twelfth Night, played a massive role in shaping the language we speak today. If you're unfamiliar with him, we recommend first reading our blog post:
👉 Who Was William Shakespeare?
Before you start translating, it's helpful to understand what makes Shakespearean English unique:
Modern: You are going to the market.
Shakespearean: Thou art going to the market.
Shakespeare often flipped sentence order for rhythm or emphasis.
Modern: I cannot go.
Shakespearean: Go I cannot.
Many words either meant something different or were entirely new:
Is your sentence formal, emotional, humorous, or romantic? Shakespeare used different styles across his comedies, tragedies, and sonnets.
Replace modern pronouns and verbs with their Shakespearean counterparts.
Example: You will love this place → Thou wilt love this place.
Experiment with poetic word order or insert rhetorical flourishes.
Example: The night is quiet. → Quiet is the night.
Add similes, metaphors, or old-world expressions.
Example: You are beautiful → Thou art as radiant as the morning sun.
Manually translating is fun but can be time-consuming. That’s why we built the Shakespearean Translator — an easy-to-use tool that instantly converts modern English into Shakespearean language. Whether you need a phrase, dialogue, or full paragraph transformed, it does the work for you in seconds.
Translating into Shakespearean isn’t just a creative exercise—it’s a way to:
Learning how to translate English into Shakespearean language helps you step back in time and rediscover the art of eloquence. With a blend of poetic rhythm, expressive vocabulary, and historical flavor, you can add a touch of the Renaissance to your modern words.
Try it out now with our Shakespeare Translator and speaketh liketh The Bard!