* "Old days" is a very broad term. Do you mean ancient Rome, medieval England, or the 1950s? Each period has its own distinct language and dialect.
* Language constantly evolves. Words change meaning, new words are invented, and grammar shifts over time.
* People spoke in different ways depending on their social class, region, and profession. A peasant in medieval England spoke very differently from a nobleman.
However, we can explore some general trends and characteristics of speech in the past:
* Older languages were often more complex. For example, Old English had more grammatical cases and declensions than modern English.
* Pronunciation changed over time. For example, the "Great Vowel Shift" in English, which occurred between the 14th and 18th centuries, changed the pronunciation of many vowels.
* Vocabulary differed. Many words used in the past are no longer common, and new words have entered the language.
* People often spoke in more formal ways. There was a greater emphasis on politeness and decorum in the past.
To get a better understanding of how people spoke in a specific period, you can:
* Read historical texts. These can provide insights into the language, vocabulary, and grammar of the time.
* Listen to recordings of historical speech. While recordings are limited to the 20th century, they can give you a sense of how people spoke in the past.
* Study historical linguistics. This field focuses on the history and evolution of languages.
Ultimately, the best way to understand how people spoke in the old days is to delve into the specific period and language you are interested in.