Old Saxon is an early Germanic language that was spoken in what is now northern Germany and parts of the Netherlands during the early Middle Ages. It is part of the West Germanic branch of the Germanic language family and is closely related to Old English and Old High German. The language was primarily used in oral traditions and later in written form, especially in religious texts. The most significant surviving text in Old Saxon is the "Hildegard," a poem that reflects the culture and beliefs of the Saxon people. Old Saxon played a crucial role in the development of the German language and influenced later dialects, contributing to the linguistic heritage of modern German.