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| Author | E. V. Gordon |
|---|---|
| Language | English withOld Norse texts |
| Subject | Old Norse,Language |
| Genre | Textbook |
| Publisher | The Clarendon Press |
Publication date | 1927 |
| Pages | 412 |
An Introduction to Old Norse is atextbook written byE. V. Gordon, arising from his teaching at theUniversity of Leeds and first published in 1927 inOxford atThe Clarendon Press. The Second Edition was revised (1957) byA. R. Taylor, Gordon's former student and, indirectly, his Leeds successor. It was most recently reprinted in 1990 by the Oxford University Press. According to Todd Krause of the Linguistics Research Centre at the University of Texas, the work is "still considered the standard reference, though often extremely daunting for self-study."[1]
An Introduction to Old Norse is commonly accepted as a standard text in the English-speaking world for studyingOld Norse. It includes a long introduction, a shortgrammar of Old Norse, a glossary, an index of names and selections from thePoetic Edda as well as a number of other sagas (all in Old Norse).
The introduction of the text traces the literary history of Old Norse and describes the literary merits, historical accuracy, and compositional style of Old Norse texts. In it, Gordon draws comparisons to other languages and texts of theMiddle Ages such as theOld English epic poemBeowulf.
The central part of the book is composed of selections of Old Norse texts, including the entire text ofHrafnkels saga in the Second Edition. Other selections include the poem "Þrymskviða" and parts ofHrólfs saga kraka. Both East Norse and West Norse are represented, and there are alsorunic inscriptions.
The grammar portion of the text is written with the understanding that the reader would be familiar withlinguistics, particularly those ofGermanic languages. Verb conjugations are given in accordance with stem class, and Gordon often gives the historical reasons for particular changes in word form. There are also notes on the text selections, particularly glosses of difficult lines, as well as notes on differences between branches of Old Norse, bothphonologically and in writing.
It includes a comprehensive glossary that often includes cross-references to specific paradigm numbers, including a portion of names that occur within the selected readings. Various illustrations occur throughout, typically ofNorsemen andScandinavian-related halls, weapons, etc.
Although the second edition ofAn Introduction to Old Norse is still under copyright, the first edition is in the public domain in the US, UK, and Europe. The readings of Old Norse passages are not under copyright. A copy of all of the readings in Old Norse from the book is available online.[2]
