LL-L "Help needed" 2002.11.09 (01) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
 L O W L A N D S - L * 09.NOV.2002 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
 Web Site: <http://www.lowlands-l.net>  Email: admin at lowlands-l.net
 Rules & Guidelines: <http://www.lowlands-l.net/rules.htm>
 Posting Address: <lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org>
 Server Manual: <http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html>
 Archive: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html>
=======================================================================
 You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
 To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
 text from the same account to <listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org> or
 sign off at <http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html>.
=======================================================================
 A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
 L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic
               V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
=======================================================================

From: Pat Reynolds <pat at caerlas.demon.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L Help needed

Dear Colleagues,

I have come across an inscription, and am curious as to what it means,
and what the language or dialect is.  The plaque is just above the door
of 44 Wood Street, Shotley Bridge, Consett, Durham (that is the usual
place for datestones in this part of the world).  The plaque bears the
date 1601, and the partially legible inscription:

... RE...
...OHN.ALLE.SORG.WAS
...LEICH.IN.DEIN EM
... .TREV W.VND E[or L with short middle bar]LEISI...
...D.DVEST.WAS.DIR.BEE[or L with short middle bar]OHL...

With best wishes to all,

Pat
--
Pat Reynolds
pat at caerlas.demon.co.uk
   "It might look a bit messy now, but just you come back in 500 years time"
   (T. Pratchett)

----------

From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Help needed

Hi, Pat!

Let me get the ball rolling by saying that the fragment looks like German --
and I don't mean "Low German":

... RE...
?
...OHN.ALLE.SORG.WAS
...without.all.worry*.what
...LEICH.IN.DEIN EM
...(gleich?=)like/right/immediately.in.thy(ne) ?
... .TREV W.VND E[or L with short middle bar]LEISI...
... ?  ? (=part of name? Trevor?) and (Eliese? Eleisia? Eleison?)
...D.DVEST.WAS.DIR.BEE[or L with short middle bar]OHL...
...?.(thou)dost**.what.thee.(befohlen = commanded?)

* cf. French "Sans souci" ("Without Worry"), a commonly used name for German
houses and estates in the 17th and 18th centuries, also the name of a palace
in Potsdam

** In German of that time this would be _(du) tuest_ ("thou dost" = modern
singular "you do"), but in some German dialects, including those with
Lowlands Saxon (Low German) substrates (beginning about the time of the
building of that house), it might be _duest_ (< LS _dayst_ from _doun_ 'to
do').

I've either started helping you or leading you astray, Pat.

Interesting to find that inscription in that place!

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

==================================END===================================
* Please submit postings to <lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org>.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to <listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org> or at
  <http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html>.
=======================================================================