æ
Latin diphthong ae
The æ diphthong represents the merged 'ae' sound in Latin, Old English, and modern Scandinavian languages, serving as a crucial link to historical linguistics while remaining active in contemporary Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic communication.
Technical Details
- ASCII Code
- 230
- HTML Entity
- æ
- Hexadecimal
- 0xE6
- Binary
- 11100110
- Octal
- 346
Usage & Examples
Programming
char symbol = 'æ'; // ASCII 230HTML/Web
æ or æCommon Uses
How to Type This Character
Windows
Mac
💡 Pro tip: The fastest way is to bookmark this page or copy the character from our ASCII library!
Related Characters
About the Latin diphthong ae
Historical Linguistics
Essential for authentic representation of Latin texts, Old English manuscripts, and medieval documents. The æ ligature preserves original spelling and pronunciation in classical works, enabling accurate scholarly transcription and historical research.
Scandinavian Languages
Active letter in modern Danish and Norwegian alphabets, representing a distinct vowel sound that cannot be replaced with 'ae' without changing meaning. Critical for authentic communication with 10+ million Scandinavian speakers worldwide.
Academic Authenticity
Required for proper citation of classical sources, medieval literature, and historical documents in academic writing. Demonstrates scholarly precision and respect for original linguistic forms in research and publication.
Cultural Preservation
Maintains the linguistic heritage of multiple cultures, from Roman civilization to Viking-age literature to modern Nordic identity. The æ symbol bridges ancient and contemporary language use across millennia.
History of the Latin diphthong ae
Roman Diphthong
Classical Latin used 'ae' as a diphthong in words like 'Caesar' and 'aequus,' representing a combined vowel sound that was fundamental to proper Latin pronunciation and meaning.
Old English Usage
Anglo-Saxon scribes used æ (called 'ash') extensively in Old English texts like Beowulf, representing a vowel sound that was central to Anglo-Saxon phonology and literary tradition.
Manuscript Ligature
Medieval copyists developed æ as a space-saving ligature in manuscripts, combining efficiency with phonetic accuracy in religious texts, legal documents, and scholarly works.
Scandinavian Standardization
Danish and Norwegian language reforms established æ as a standard letter in their alphabets, distinguishing it as a unique vowel sound essential for proper Scandinavian orthography.
Digital Preservation
Unicode standards and international keyboards preserved æ for both historical scholarship and modern Scandinavian communication, enabling its continued use in digital environments.
Cultural Impact
The æ diphthong became a bridge across time and cultures, connecting ancient Roman civilization, medieval Anglo-Saxon literature, and modern Scandinavian identity while enabling authentic scholarly engagement with historical texts.
Usage Examples
Classical Latin
ExampleClassical Latin words with authentic diphthong pronunciation
Old English Literature
ExampleOld English words from Anglo-Saxon texts like Beowulf
Modern Danish
ExampleContemporary Danish vocabulary requiring æ for proper pronunciation
Academic Citations
ExampleScholarly references maintaining historical spelling accuracy