The Old Saxon Language: Grammar, Epic Narrative, Linguistic Interference: 1 (Berkeley Models of Grammars) - Hardcover

Rauch, Irmengard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0820418935 ISBN 13: 9780820418933

Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing Inc, 1992

Synopsis

This book, the first grammar of the Old Saxon language written in English, is self-contained with its inclusion of selected readings from the "Heliand" epic and appropriate comparative readings from two interference dialects, Old High German and Old English. It introduces the reader, regardless of degree of linguistic training, to the basic structure of a Germanic dialect. As a diachronic synchrony (variation and change within the Old Saxon time frame), "The Old Saxon Language" is largely dictated by cognitive strategies needed to unravel semantically a sentence or larger piece of discourse. A semantic focus pervades the entire grammar, which proceeds in the best Berkeley tradition of prompting the student to mingle intellectually with researching faculty. Thus, many of the most sophisticated research problems surrounding the study of Old Saxon are addressed.

About this title

Review:

-Up to now students of Old Saxon have been compelled to resort to rather obsolete grammars or works that could hardly be described as pedagogically adequate. The first rate study of the language that Professor Irmengard Rauch is offering us combines all the qualities one would expect from a carefully elaborated scientifically impeccable introduction to all the aspects of the Old Saxon linguistic and literary heritage. It is hard to decide what deserves most praise in this truly excellent work: the outstanding methodology, the perceptive linguistic comments or the fine presentation of materials.- (Edgar C. Polome, University of Texas at Austin)
-In this consummately wrought chrestomathy, Rauch blends her unrivalled linguistic expertise with plentiful pedagogical sophistication. Hers is easily the best introduction to Old Saxon, a remote, if fascinating relative of modern English.- (Thomas A. Sebok, Indiana University)
-Old Saxon grammar used not to be like this. Here the historical perspective is used more as an aid to synchronic understanding through concepts like discourse analysis, valency, phrase structure and interference. A challenging approach for beginners and old hands alike.- (Richard d'Alquen, University of Alberta)
-...what the author presents is a very readable outstanding survey of an Old Germanic dialect, taking the latest developments in linguistic theory into consideration. Such an effort deserves high praise - (The Journal of Indo-European Studies)
-Her work is an excellent tool to teach Old Saxon.- (Colette van Kerckvoorde, Germanic Notes and Reviews)
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About the Author:

The Author: Irmengard Rauch is Professor of Germanic Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. She is author of "The Old High German Diphthongization: A Description of a Phonemic Change," and of numerous articles and chapters in professional journals and scholarly books. Dr. Rauch is co-editor of several collections of linguistics and semiotics research and is general editor of two Lang series, Berkeley Insights in Linguistics and Semiotics and Berkeley Models of Grammars. She is the founder of the Semiotic Circle of California, the Berkeley/Michigan Germanic Linguistics Roundtable, and the San Francisco Bay Area German Linguistic Fieldwork Project.

About this edition

• Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing Inc
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0820418935
• ISBN 13: 9780820418933
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 416