This course presents an outline of the Gothic language in comparison with other old and modern Germanic languages, set against the Proto-Germanic and Indo-European background. Following a brief overview of the history of the Goths, the origin of the Gothic language and its position in the context of Germanic, we explore the major topics in Gothic grammar, beginning with the alphabet and phonology, and proceeding through morphology, and syntax. The syntactic phenomena under scrutiny include Wackernagel clitics, the position of the finite verb, subject positions, and evidence for fronting of non-subjects (topicalization, focus fronting). We will read a selection of Gothic texts which will be provided with notes and vocabulary, all the while paying close attention to the Greek original.
By completion of course students should have gained
-knowledge of the most important aspects of the Gothic language
-an understanding of key issues in Germanic historical linguistics
-familiarity with the relationship and development of the Germanic languages
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