At first Elizabethan speech may seem daunting and very unfamiliar. To tell the truth, it can be. The most important part of learning BFA is perhaps patience - don't try to cram it all in in one afternoon. Learn the basics first, try using them in conversation. At faire listen to others and how they speak. Get comfortable with the idea that Elizabethan English, in some cases, is as close to our modern day English as French.

Do not fear, however. What I am presenting here is really just a few basics that any beginner can grasp. If you want a more detailed look into Faire Speak meander your way further down the page and you'll be given plenty of discussion regarding the difference of thee/thou and you/ye, how verbs are conjugated, etc...

"Hello" is an exclamation of surprise, not greeting. You might try "Good Morrow", "God ye good den.", "How now?",
"God save you", or "Good Day"
Instead of "Good Bye" try "Anon", "Fare thee well" or "God save thee!"

It's "Aye" or "Yay" not "Yes."
Try "Nay" or "Indeed Not" for "No".

"You" can be either "thee/thou" or even "you/ye"
"You would" or "You should" best heard as "Thou would'st" or "Thou should'st".

I would "beg your pardon" instead of excusing myself.
In order to get your attention I wouldn't cry: "Listen", but I would say "Hark!"
Say "prithee" or "if it please thee" instead of "please".
A wandering babe would be told to "come hither" not "here."

"A Salesperson" barks louder as a "Hawker". Affectionately you might call your grandfather "Gaffer". A beautiful young woman could be a lusty "wench" or maybe a fair "maiden". Perhaps your pet name for your boyfriend/girlfriend is "Sweeting". A doll might be called "poppet", but so would a child.

Some exclamations:
"Forsooth"
"Verily"
"Alack!", "Alackaday!", "Alas!", "Fie!", "Out upon it!", "Go to!"
"I'faith!", or "Now, by my faith!"
"Marry!", "'Zounds (God's wounds, pron: ZOONDS)", "Hey-ho!", "God's Death!", "God's Teeth!", or "What ho!"

Instead of a bar you would find the local "tavern" to buy some "Ale".

Some general words to know:

• Anon - Later
• As you will - Okay, or whatever.
• By your leave - Excuse me or please, when in the company of another.
• Carouse- Party!
• Chide - Scold or nag
• Cutpurse- Thief
• E'en - Evening or even
• E'er - Ever or before
• Fie - A curse.
• Grammercy - Thank you
• Maid or Maiden - A young woman of upstanding virtue
• Marry! - An exclaimation of shock
• Mayhap - Perhaps. Do not mistakenly say "Mayhaps" - there is no plural form
• Morrow - Days or tomorrow.
• N'er - Never.
• Nonpariel - A beauty
• Oft - Often
• In Faith - In truth, sometimes just "faith". A mild exclaimation.
• Perchance - Maybe or Possibly.
• Poppet - A doll or a young child
• Pray pardon me - Excuse me
• Pray tell - Please tell me
• Prithee - Please, literally "I pray thee"
• Privy - Bathroom, or more literally, outhouse
• Stay - Stop or wait.
• S'wounds! - An exclaimation, like wow. A shortened from "gods wounds".
• Tosspot- Drunkard
• Verily - Very, Truly or Truthfully.
• Wench - A young woman
• Wherefore - Why
• Yonder - Over there.

Elizabethan England society was very socially stratified and as such one was always aware of their rank among the larger scheme of things. Based upon one's physical description you can usually find the appropriate method of address: "My Lord", "My Lady", "Good Wife", "Goodly Juggler", etc. The art of addressing people was perfected out of necessity at this time. Remember your rank and how you would react to those of a higher and/or lower station than yourself.

People of the time wore clothes that suited their rank in life, and (fortunately) this makes them easier to identify. When addressing people of equal station you can be less formal. For instance: the Earl of Rycroft might call the Earl of Worth either "Worth" or "My Lord cousin", etc. However a merchant or peasant would call them "Lord", or "My Lord", or "My Lord, Earl".

When addressing a well-dressed, upper class person of whose station you're not certain it is always safe to address them as "Sir" or "Mistress."

Do not assume the rank of the nobility because more often than not you will miss some obscure title and insult the noble. For safety's sake use "My Lord" or "My Lady" if you do not know their name or title. The Queen is referred to as "Your Highness", or "Your Grace''. In the third person, the Queen may be called "Her Highness". Dukes and Duchesses are also addressed as "Your Grace". Office holders  may be called "Your Honour".