Grimm Language
Grammar, Gender and Genuineness in the Fairy Tales
Stanford University
Grimm Language addresses a number of issues in the Grimms’ fairy tales from a (Germanic) linguist’s point of view. In sections dealing with the Grimms’ use of regional dialect material, various grammatical constructions, and specific nouns and adjectives in their Children’s and Household Tales, the author argues that the Grimms were consciously or unconsciously following a number of objectives. These included reinforcing the overall Germanic impression of the tales (though we now know that many of them had French inspiration), striking the right balance between archaic and colloquial language to arrive at an ideal narrative style for what was arguably a new genre, and promoting or at least reflecting stereotypes concerning the proper roles for boys and girls. The book will be of interest not only to those interested in fairy tales, and the Grimms’ in particular, but also more generally to those interested in the intersection between linguistics and literary scholarship.
[Linguistic Approaches to Literature, 10]
2010.
xi, 190 pp.
Publishing status: Available
Hardbound – Available
ISBN
9789027233448
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EUR
99.00
|
USD
149.00
e-Book – Sold by e-book platforms
ISBN
9789027288226
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EUR
99.00
|
USD
149.00
Table of Contents
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Acknowledgements
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ix
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1. A linguistic look at the Children’s and Household Tales
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1–6
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2. The Six Swans
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7–22
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3. German from where?
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23–36
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4. Possession
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37–50
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5. Forms of address
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53–72
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6. Reports and omissions
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73–84
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7. Nouns (and their adjectives)
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85–106
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8. Appearance
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107–128
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9. Moral states and mental dispositions
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129–140
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10. Industry and intelligence
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141–150
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11. Gender and the use of pronouns
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151–170
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12. Concluding remarks
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171–174
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References
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175–176
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Appendix A. Tales cited from the KHM, with translations and numbers in the 7th edition of 1857
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177–182
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Index
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183–190
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Quotes
“Grimm Language offers an unapologetically evidence-based analysis of gender and genuineness in a collection of German stories with powerful global impact. With philological finesse and scholarly insight worthy of the Brothers Grimm themselves, Orrin Robinson slams the brakes on irresponsible interpretive moves and lays the foundation for greater precision in the field of fairy-tale studies. He takes us back to the artfully contrived artlessness of the words with which the tales are told, all the while deepening their magic.”
Maria Tatar, Harvard University
Subjects
Benjamins Subject classification
Literature & Literary Studies
BIC Subject
CFF: Historical & comparative linguistics
BISAC Subject
LAN009000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics
U.S. Library of Congress Control Number: 2010005233