Language changes and evolves. I know that much. I was daydreaming the other day about time travel (because that is a totally normal thing to do) and just generally thinking about the logistics of meeting people from another time, and I was thinking about how possible it would be for someone to hold a conversation with people in the past? I am speaking specifically about the language of conversation. Would there be any sort of language barrier between us?

What we talk about doesn't particularly matter, just whether the spoken language of the time is similar enough for me to be able to talk to them. If it makes it easier, assume we are talking about the king of conversational topics, the weather.

Here are some qualifiers, if they help...

The person travelling would be very well-read, with a very competent grasp of the English language.

The individual I am speaking to from that time does not need to be well-read, but does need to speak English. They can be well-read, they just don't have to be. If it is interesting, please tell me if there are any significant differences between talking to someone who is literate compared to illiterate.

Do not go further back than Old English, unless you think it would be possible to speak with someone from then. I get a strong impression from reading that it simply would not be possible due to the wild differences between the language then and now.

Just to get some varied responses, I will ask whether it would be possible for each 50 years going backwards from 1900. I know it would be possible to talk to someone from 1950 (because they are alive now), and 1900. 1850 would likely have some variances on the vernacular used, but it is very likely that someone today will have been exposed to that vernacular and will be capable of comprehending it. But going further back than that, it feels more uncertain to me.

Examples of conversation from your chosen date would be interesting if you could include them. If possible, illustrate any differences between the likelihood of being able to talk to someone from your chosen time in a more provincial style of talking compared to a more received pronunciation. If it is not possible to hold a coherent conversation, how much of one could we hold?

I hope this is not too ridiculous a question for here.