Erik Smitterberg ([email protected])
Dept. of English, Uppsala University
Master’s Programme: OE and ME
Autumn/Fall Term 2012
Exercises I
These exercises will be discussed in class on 18 October; it is thus necessary to complete
them before that class.
1 Exercises on the Germanic Languages
Note that you will need to study the Text Compendium handed out in class on 11 October in
order to complete the exercises in section 1.
1.1 Grimm’s Law
The following table contains three columns. The leftmost column contains an IndoEuropean root (the asterisk indicates that this is a reconstructed form); the middle column
the original meaning of this root; and the rightmost column part of a Present-day English
word that contains the reflex of this root. The vowels in the words may have changed a
great deal over the centuries, but the consonants involved are all clear examples of changes
that illustrate Grimm’s Law. With the aid of the meanings supplied and of your knowledge
of Grimm’s Law, supply the missing letters (marked with an underscore) in each Presentday English word. The first row contains an example.
IE root
Meaning
PdE word
*bhreg1. *pū2. *kwel3. *bheid4. *pleus5. *merg-
‘break’
‘rotten’
‘spin’
‘split’
‘feather, fur’
‘boundary’
break
_oul
_eel1
_i_e
_leece
mar_
1.2 Verner’s Law
The Present-day English words in the table on p. 2 show some influence of Verner’s Law
(they may also have been affected by Grimm’s Law). Bearing this in mind, complete this
exercise as you did the exercise on Grimm’s Law above.
As will become clear during the Middle English segment of the course, this example may have been obscured
by a later sound-change.
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Erik Smitterberg ([email protected])
Dept. of English, Uppsala University
IE root
Meaning
PdE word
*roup*plōtu-
‘snatch’
‘river’
ro_
floo_
Master’s Programme: OE and ME
Autumn/Fall Term 2012
2 Exercises on Old English (OE)
As stress was predictable in OE, stress is not indicated in the transcriptions; you do not need
to indicate it either. (For ME, in contrast, stress indications are important.)
2.1 From Sound to Spelling
Based on the following phonetic/narrow transcriptions of OE words, indicate what the OE
phonemic transcription and spelling would be. Assume that the normal OE sound/spelling
correspondences apply (as outlined in Handout I). As regards spelling:
1. You may use either 〈þ〉 or 〈ð〉 to represent dental fricatives.
2. Use macrons to indicate long vowels.
3. Apply diacritics as in 〈ġ〉 and 〈ċ〉 correctly.
Phonetic transcription
Phonemic transcription
1. [θeːovɑs]
2. [boɣɑ]
3. [broːxte]
4. [eʤ]
5. [ʃriŋkɑn]
6. [jæːɑr]
7. [oθθon]
8. [swæːzende]
9. [enʤel]
10. [kniçt]
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Spelling
Erik Smitterberg ([email protected])
Dept. of English, Uppsala University
Master’s Programme: OE and ME
Autumn/Fall Term 2012
2.2 From Spelling to Sound
Transcribe the following OE words. Assume that all letters have their “normal” OE value
(see Handout I). Use both phonemic/broad and phonetic/narrow transcription: that is, the
pronunciation should be presented with both phonemic and allophonic values (for instance,
for the allophonic transcription you need to decide whether an /f/ is to be pronounced [f]
or [v]). Assume that no vowel reduction has taken place in unstressed syllables. You get an
example in the first row.
OE spelling
Phonemic transcription
Phonetic transcription
1. ðūsend
/θuːsend/
[θuːzend]
2. hræfn
3. mæsse
4. fyllan
5. lang
6. āgan
7. riht
8. æsc
9. brimfugol
10. þrūh
11. hefiġlīċe
12. senġan
13. hlīsa
14. stēam
15. eorðe
16. sceaft
17. hlið
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Erik Smitterberg ([email protected])
Dept. of English, Uppsala University
Master’s Programme: OE and ME
Autumn/Fall Term 2012
2.3 †Transcribing and Pronouncing Old English
This exercise focuses on sentences (1)–(8) of Text 2 in the Anthology in Baker (2012), i.e.
“The Life of St. Æthelthryth” (Baker 2012: 183–185). First carry out a phonemic
transcription of sentences (1)–(8). Then, based on your phonemic transcription and your
knowledge of Old English phonology, produce a phonetic transcription of the same
sentences. Finally, practise reading the sentences aloud in Old English, so that you will be
able to read them out in class. A translation of the sentences into Present-day English is
provided on the Studentportalen website for the course; note, however, that understanding
the meaning of the text or translating it into Present-day English is not necessary to
complete the assignment. Also, note that, as the dagger in the heading indicates, you should
consult a preliminary key for this exercise on the Studentportalen site and compare your
answers with that key before coming to class.
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