Last update:
5 September 2010
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An Introduction to Old FrisianHistory, Grammar, Reader, Glossary
2009. xii, 237 pp.
Publishing status: Available
Hardbound
– In stock
978 90 272 3255 7 / EUR 105.00 / USD 158.00
Paperback
– In stock
e-Book
– Available from e-book platforms
This is the first text book to offer a comprehensive approach to Old Frisian. Part One begins with a succinct survey of the history of the Frisians during the Middle Ages, their society and literary culture. Next follow chapters on the phonology, morphology, word formation and syntax of Old Frisian. This part is concluded by a chapter on the Old Frisian dialects and one on problems regarding the periodization of Frisian and the close relationship between (Old) Frisian and (Old) English. Part Two consists of a reader with a representative selection of twenty-one texts with explanatory notes and a full glossary. A bibliography and a select index complete the book. Written by an experienced teacher and researcher in the field, An Introduction to Old Frisian is an essential resource for students and researchers of Frisian, Old English and other ‘Old’ Germanic languages and cultures, and for medievalists working in this area.
Table of contents
“Old Frisian has long been a well-kept secret in historical linguistics and philology -- despite the tremendous historical and cultural value of the texts, its status as the closest relative of English and important position within West Germanic, as well as the bright light Old Frisian evidence can shed on the broader history of the Germanic languages. We have long needed a solid, English-language introduction to the language from a leading specialist. This book provides all that in a most engaging way.”
Joe Salmons, University of Wisconsin, Madison
“There has never been an available "Reader" in English, and German introductions are not user-friendly or are out of print. Bremmer's book therefore fills a gap, and is particularly accessible for the modern student, graduate or undergraduate, with (as the subtitle says) "History, grammar, reader [and] glossary" all within the same covers. Working through the twenty texts selected would give anyone a good grasp of the language, and should be fairly easy for anyone who remembers their Old English. [...] Bremmer's book on its own is enough both to stimulate interest in a long-neglected language and literature, and to add a very welcome further perspective for students of comparative Germanic linguistics.”
“Bremmer manifestly is an expert of Old Frisian studies. [...] the Introduction is well written and succeeds in its aim of introducing Old Frisian.”
“Those who have struggled with the difficult dialectal manifestations of Old Frisian, not sure if dialectal differences are the result of date of the texts, or of the localization of those texts, are sure to be pleased with a new grammar, and in English, in which there are answers to such questions.”
“While one should normally be cautious about evaluating a textbook before one has taught with it, this work seems eminently suitable as a textbook. The grammatical descriptions are clear, concise, and, to the best of my knowledge, accurate. The explanatory notes are also praiseworthy, as they will help clarify tricky passages, and the sizable glossaries only enhance the book's value. I have also consulted it on a number of occasions to answer questions about Old Frisian. I would not hesitate to use this book to teach Old Frisian to graduate students or advanced undergraduates, and the author is to be lauded for his significant contributions to Frisian Studies.”
“Dieses Buch eröffnet die Chance, auch das Altfriesische gelegentlich wieder in den Kanon historisch-germanistischer Lehrverantstaltungen aufzunehmen. Es ist ein ‘textbook’ in der angelsächsischen Tradition: Nach einer allgemeinen Einführung werden Phonologie, Morphologie, Lexikologie, Syntax und Dialekte des Altfriesischen grunlegend auf gut 100 seiten dargestellt [...]. Das Buch is einführend, in gut lesbarem English, und zugleich weiterführend durch sachkundige Kommentare und aktuelle Literaturverweise.”
“An Introduction to Old Frisian fills a long-felt need in Frisian Studies, Germanic Philology and Medieval Studies. With its competent and up-to-date treatment of Old Frisian grammar and literature, its succinct survey of the (cultural) history of the Frisian countries in the Middle Ages and its careful selection of Old Frisian texts, Bremmer's book will appeal to a broad readership.”
“This text book is an inspiring and state-of-the-art introduction to Old Frisian language and literature. It will prove to be an essential tool not only for students focussing on Frisian, but also for those who want to study Old Frisian in the context of the Germanic language group.”
Subject classification |
Linguistics