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OLD ENGLISH (ENFEV0, 7.5hp, spring 2017)
Welcome to the MA course in Old English, taught by Nils-Lennart Johannesson!
The course begins on 17 January; there will be eight two-hour seminars devoted to discussions
of linguistic aspects of Old English (phonology, morphology, and syntax). In addition there will
be six text reading workshops devoted to the reading and translation of Old English texts.
This course provides students with an introduction to Old English phonology, morphology
and syntax, as well as basic reading proficiency in Old English. Special attention is given to
the differences between Old English and modern English syntax (here a basic knowledge of
generative syntax is assumed). Authentic Old English texts are used as study material
throughout the course.
My own web material provides electronic versions of most of the Old English texts on the
reading list, as well as a number of useful exercises on Old English morphology. The material
has moved to a new server since last year, but links to the different sections of the web site
will be provided on Mondo under Resources.
Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to
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have a good command of a central Old English vocabulary in terms of meanings and
formal characteristics;
be able to translate text excerpts from Old English to modern English;
be able to describe the main features of Old English phonology and morphology;
be able to describe the main features of Old English syntax and the differences
between Old English and modern English syntax.
There will be a written take-home exam on the syntax part of the course and an oral exam on
the other aspects.
Course literature:
Johannesson, Nils-Lennart. 2015. Stæfcræft. An Introduction to Old English Syntax.
(compendium; electronic version will be made available on Mondo).
Mitchell, Bruce & Fred C. Robinson. 2011. A Guide to Old English. 8th ed. Oxford: Blackwell.
(Available as e-book at SUB.)
Stockholm University
Engelska Institutionen
Stockholms Universitet
Universitetsvägen 10 E
106 91 Stockholm
Visiting address:
Universitetsvägen 10 E, Plan 8
www.english.su.se
Phone: +46 70 191 71 21
Telefax:
E-mail: [email protected]