On the morphophonology of Old English weak verbs : a synchronic and diachronic approach
Within the development of English 'weak' verbs, Old English represents a transitional period where the relatively transparent proto-Germanic system of inflectional classes has been complicated (despite remaining (largely) recognisable) by phonological change but its large-scale Middle English restructuring and simplification, although hinted at by numerous non- 'standard' forms, is, apparently, not yet fully underway. The intermediate nature of this system means that, depending on one's preferred point of view and the data taken in to consideration, the morphological structure of the Old English weak verbs can be seen to represent the continuation of the Germanic situation (the view implied by most traditional grammars) or the beginning of the Middle English demise of this system. This dissertation contains an attempt to establish what type of synchronic analysis should be imposed upon the weak verbs in Old English and how their diachronic development should be characterised. Variation from the expected Old English forms can in many cases be interpreted as synchronic evidence for the fact that morphological change was in progress and so these two issues will be considered mutually dependent: the most adequate
Sigsworth, C.
On the morphophonology of Old English weak verbs : a synchronic and diachronic approach. Within the development of English 'weak' verbs, Old English represents a transitional period where the relatively transparent proto-Germanic system of inflectional classes has been complicated (despite remaining (largely) recognisable) by phonological change but its large-scale Middle English restructuring and simplification, although hinted at by numerous non- 'standard' forms, is, apparently, not yet fully underway. The intermediate nature of this system means that, depending on one's preferred point of view and the data taken in to consideration, the morphological structure of the Old English weak verbs can be seen to represent the continuation of the Germanic situation (the view implied by most traditional grammars) or the beginning of the Middle English demise of this system. This dissertation contains an attempt to establish what type of synchronic analysis should be imposed upon the weak verbs in Old English and how their diachronic development should be characterised. Variation from the expected Old English forms can in many cases be interpreted as synchronic evidence for the fact that morphological change was in progress and so these two issues will be considered mutually dependent: the most adequate
old_english weak verb synchronic diachronic approach within development english weak verb old_english represent transitional_period relatively transparent proto germanic system inflectional class complicate despite remain_largely recognisable phonological change large_scale middle_english restructuring although hint numerous non standard form apparently yet_fully underway intermediate nature system mean depend preferred point_view data take_consideration morphological_structure old_english weak verb see represent continuation germanic situation view imply traditional grammar begin middle_english demise system contains attempt_establish type synchronic analysis impose_upon weak verb old_english diachronic development characterise variation expect old_english form many_case interpret synchronic evidence fact morphological change_progress issue_consider mutually dependent adequate