Quality over Quantity. A Diachronic Approach to the Influence of Old Norse on the English Language

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• INTRODUCTION AND TOPIC DESCRIPTION
  • Nature of the research
  • Background
  • Objectives
  • Relevance
  • Hypothesis
  • Operational definitions
    • Cognates
    • Danelaw
    • Grimm's Law
    • Intercomprehension
    • Interculturality
    • Metathesis
    • Rhotacism
    • Umlaut
    • Verner's Law
• LITERATURE REVIEW
  • Historical, social and cultural contact
    • First period (787-850)
    • Second period (850-878)
    • Third period (878-1042)
  • The Germanic group of languages
    • Phonology
    • Morphology
  • Old English and Old Norse: a comparative analysis
    • Phonology
    • Morphology
• THE INFLUENCE OF OLD NORSE ON MODERN ENGLISH
  • Intercomprehension and interculturality
  • Linguistic borrowings
    • Morphology
    • Grammar
    • Vocabulary
• DISCUSSION
  • Results
  • Implications
  • Limitations of the study
  • Lines for future research

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation aims to explain the significant impact of Old Norse on the English language, focusing on its qualitative rather than quantitative influence. It examines this influence by first exploring the historical and sociocultural context, divided into distinct periods, which is crucial for understanding the linguistic and cultural contact between these societies throughout history. Linguistically, the dissertation investigates general features of the Germanic group of languages from phonological and morphosyntactic perspectives. A comparative analysis of Old Norse and Old English as coexisting languages follows, highlighting similarities and differences between them. Finally, the study delves into the specific areas of morphosyntax and vocabulary where Old Norse influence on English is most evident.

• The historical and sociocultural context of the contact between Old Norse and Old English.
• The linguistic features of the Germanic group of languages, particularly phonology and morphosyntax.
• A comparative analysis of Old Norse and Old English, exploring similarities and differences between these languages.
• The influence of Old Norse on English, with a focus on morphosyntactic and lexical elements.
• The impact of Old Norse on Modern English vocabulary and grammar.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter, "Introduction and Topic Description," sets the stage for the dissertation. It introduces the research topic, its relevance, and its objectives, along with key operational definitions. The second chapter, "Literature Review," provides a comprehensive historical, social, and cultural background to the contact between Old Norse and Old English, detailing the three main periods of contact. It also delves into the general characteristics of the Germanic group of languages, specifically focusing on phonology and morphology. This chapter concludes with a comparative analysis of Old Norse and Old English, examining similarities and differences in their phonology and morphology. The third chapter, "The Influence of Old Norse on Modern English," explores the impact of Old Norse on the development of Modern English. It highlights the concepts of intercomprehension and interculturality and then examines linguistic borrowings, specifically focusing on their effects on morphology, grammar, and vocabulary.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This dissertation centers on the significant influence of Old Norse on the English language, focusing on its qualitative impact. It explores the historical and sociocultural context of this linguistic contact, investigates general features of the Germanic group of languages, and conducts a comparative analysis of Old Norse and Old English. The primary areas of investigation include the impact of Old Norse on the morphosyntax and vocabulary of English, with particular emphasis on the development of Modern English.

Key terms include: cognates, contact, influence, Modern English, intercomprehension, interculturality, loanwords, Old Norse, Scandinavian, stem.