nouns - Why is "I" capitalized in the English language, but not "me" or "you"?

I realize that at one time a lot of nouns in English were capitalized, but I can't understand the pattern of those left. Is there a reason why I still capitalized while you and me are not? Could it have something to do with hand writing rather than the printed page?

Answer

According to Wikipedia, there is no known record of a definitive explanation from around the early period of this capitalization practice, though there is scholarly merit (and simple curiosity) to prompt the continued seeking of an explanation.

It is likely that the capitalization was prompted and spread as a result of one or more of the following (in alphabetical order):

• Changes specifically in the pronunciation of letters (introduction of long vowel sounds in Middle English, etc.)




• Other linguistic considerations (demarcation of a single-letter word, setting apart a pronoun which is significantly different from others in English, etc.)
  
  problems with legibility of the minuscule "i"



• Sociolinguistic factors (establishment of English as the official language, solidification of English identity, etc.)

There is also the possibility that the first instances of capitalization may have been happenstance. Either through chance or a sense of correctness, in the practice or the delivery, the capitalization may have spread.