what does this old english mean in modern english
goldsele gumena, gearwost wisse,
It reminds me of some of the sounds and rhythm in the original of Beowulf. It could be from there or from another ancient Scandinavian or very old English work.
http://historymedren.about.com/od/onlinebeotexts1/Online_Editions_of_Beowulf.htm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=&as_epq=goldsele+gumena,+gearwost+wisse,&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images
so it is just a gold hall of men that is mainly seen
Sounds like it, yes!
The phrase you mentioned is from an Old English poem called "Beowulf." In modern English, it can be translated as "gold hall of men, most skillfully known." Now, let me explain how this translation was obtained.
Old English is the language spoken in England from approximately the 5th to the 11th century. Since it is an older form of the English language, the words and grammar can be quite different from Modern English.
To translate Old English into Modern English, scholars and linguists analyze the original text and use their knowledge of Old English vocabulary, grammar, and linguistic rules to determine the meaning. They often compare the text with other Old English writings and draw from their understanding of the historical context to arrive at an accurate translation.
In the case of the phrase you presented, "goldsele gumena, gearwost wisse," experts have interpreted it as "gold hall of men, most skillfully known" based on their understanding of Old English vocabulary and grammar. They've also considered the poetic and cultural context to ensure the translation captures the intended meaning.
Overall, translating Old English requires deep knowledge of the language's rules and vocabulary, as well as expertise in deciphering historical context and poetic devices used in the literature.