Old English and Its Closest Relatives: Survey of the Earliest Germanic Languages - Hardcover

Robinson, Orrin W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0804714541 ISBN 13: 9780804714549

Publisher: Stanford University Press, 2005

Synopsis

Modern English and German have many points in common, and if we go back to the earliest texts available in the two languages, the similarities are even more notable. How do we account for these similarities? The generally accepted explanation is that English and German are divergent continuations of a common ancestor, a Germanic language now lost. This book surveys the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the earliest known Germanic languages, members of what has traditionally been known as the English family tree. 'This well-structured, terse account of the early Germanic languages fills an obvious gap in reference books on historical linguistics.

About this title

Review

RWhat makes the book so useful for a variety of readers and classes is the fact that each of these seven units covers (in brief compass) the history of the speakers, the important extant texts, sample passages with glossaries and literal translations, and a section on spelling and grammar. Extremely useful for linguistics and medieval literature courses at all levels.S QChoice

From the Back Cover

"The task of writing a book like Robinson's is very difficult. His contains much to be admired and is a worthy handbook. . . . Good students can learn much from the wealth of information in the present work, and it is to be recommended to them."--Journal of English and Germanic Philology
"This generally engaging work is well-thought out and well-organized. . . . Robinson has written [a book] that deserves attention."--Colloquia Germanica

Edition details

• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0804714541
• ISBN 13: 9780804714549
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304