Introduction to Old English - Hardcover

Baker, Peter S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0631234535 ISBN 13: 9780631234531

Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell, 2003

Synopsis

This innovative introduction to the Old English language focuses on what students need to know in order to engage with Old English literary and historical texts.

• A pioneering introduction to Old English designed for a new generation of students.
• Assumes no expertise in other languages or in traditional grammar.
• Opening chapters and ′Quick Start′ sections cover the basics.
• ′Minitexts′ give students practice in reading Old English.
• Includes two chapters on syntax and three on reading poetry.
• Anthologises fourteen readings, including ′The Wanderer′, ′The Dream of the Rood′ and ′Judith′.
• The accompanying ′Old English Aerobics′ website features additional readings and exercises.

About this title

Review:

"In its references to web–sites and computer–links, [An Introduction to Old English] is very much a book of the twenty–first century; and many of its novel features – for example the chapter on the grammar of poetry, or the appendix on common spelling variants – will be extraordinarily helpful to teachers and students alike." Michael Lapidge, University of Notre Dame

"Baker′s Introduction is the kind of book that students of Old English – and their teachers – have been waiting for for a long time." Hugh Magennis, Queen′s University Belfast

"This is a truly outstanding textbook for today′s student of Old English. Written in lucid and friendly prose, Baker brings the language to life in a manner that will inspire students." Elaine Treharne, University of Leicester

"Peter Baker′s Introduction to Old English offers an innovative combination of the traditional and the cutting edge. Beginning with the basics of the language, the chapters proceed through intelligently paced levels so that by the end the user is reading the most sophisticated literature in Old English." Daniel G. Donoghue, Harvard University

"the fruit of years of sensitive, thoughtful and student–responsive teaching. [...] this work is a huge step forward in imaginative course design. It is accessible in manner and genuinely tries to address the needs of the modern student and teacher, taking them through a course step by step. [...] by far the best attempt yet to introduce Old English, and I enthusiastically recommend it to members." TOEBI Newsletter

"Peter Baker′s excellent new book, a combined grammar and reader, deserves to find a central place in the university teaching of Old English. It is unabashedly designed to be accessible to absolute beginners, but students who progress attentively through the whole book will in fact find themselves in command of a great deal of what makes Old English language and literature tick. [ ] These chapters [on Metre , Poetic Style , The Grammar of Poetry , and Reading Old English Manuscripts ] constitute the real novelty of the book in their lucid summation of some essential truths that have rarely if ever been to clearly set out for beginners; the sections on poetry in particular deserve to be read by all students beginning the translation of Old English for the first time. Notes and Queries

From the Back Cover:

This innovative introduction to the Old English language focuses on what students need to know in order to engage with Old English literary and historical texts. Designed for a new generation, the book assumes no expertise in traditional grammar or in other languages.

An opening chapter reviews basic grammar for those who need to be brought up to speed. Quick Start sections begin the major chapters, allowing students to learn the basics of Old English quickly. Minitexts accompanying most chapters give students practice in reading the language, while a detailed introduction to poetic meter and style helps them to read poetry. The book as a whole contains more than 200 illustrative quotations, fourteen Old English readings including The Wanderer , The Dream of the Rood and Judith , and a comprehensive glossary. Supplementary readings and exercises are available at the Old English Aerobics website – http://www.engl.virginia.edu/OE/OEA/ – which complements the text.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0631234535
• ISBN 13: 9780631234531
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352