[gothic-l] Re: Germanic Migrations

[Tore Gannholm]

>Hi, below are the answers given to me by Prof. Elert a Swedish
>linguist about the problem of the origin of Germanic/Proto-Germanic.
>(the numbered questions are from me, the answer/view below was given
>by Prof. Elert).
>
>> Dear Dr. Dirk Faltin,
>My answwers to your questions:
>>(1)  I would like to know if the the whole text is available in
>English?
>Answer: No.
>>
>(2) Can you clarify for me when, in your view, the settlement of
>Germanic/Proto-Germanic people of  Scandinavia started?
>
>My view is that the spread of the Germanic language took place in
>1000-500 BC, most likely around 700 BC. I would not use the word
>"settlement" . There is no reason to assume an invasion or massive



This fits very well in with the archaeological finds in Gotland. A new
unique burial way is introduced in Gotland at that time, the stone settings
"Skeppssättningar" in form of a ship. This type monuments are unique for
Gotland and some smaller Gotlandic colonies around the Baltic. The
immigration is clearly from the east.

It is obvious that the immigrants in this case have introduced their own
language. not accepted the old languge.

I can recommend "Guns Germs, and Steel, The Fates of Human Societies by
Jared Diamond"
Tore




>migration, rather a language shift.
>
>(3) and possibly from which site?
>
>It is generally assumed that there was a Germanic-speaking population
>in parts of NW Germany aroudn 1000 BC. The hypothetic language shift
>could be due to influence (and limited migration) fron this area into
>Scandinavia. Other possibilities cannot be excluded. The Bronze Age
>is
>period of much commerce and other connections between tribal
>societies
>in Europe. There are linguistic traces of  early contacts between
>Germanic and the Baltic languages.
>Yours,
>Claes-Christian Elert
>
>
>
>As Elert is seen as leading expert on Scandinavian linguistics, I
>thought his views should be interesting to others on the list. His
>views are in line with recent linguistic research on Germanic
>language
>development by Juergen Udolph. Both Udolph and Elert are seen as
>'cutting edge' on the subject.
>
>Dirk
>
>
>
>--- In gothic-l at egroups.com, MCLSSAA2 at f... wrote:
>> --- In gothic-l at egroups.com, dirk at s... wrote:
>> > ... Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia ...
>> > One short question. If the first Germans came to this area say
>> > Thuringia in 500 BC from Scandinavia as you seem to suggest, who
>was
>> > living there before this. The area was never settled by Celts.
>Were
>> > they the remnants of the earlier megalithic cultures?
>>
>> Likely speaking a non-Indo-European language, which perished
>> unrecorded while the Middle East had had writing for over 1500
>years.
>> It is one of the greatest pities in linguistics that parchment
>wasn't
>> invented much sooner. Literacy needs bulk available writing
>material,
>> which meant:-
>>   (1) The area being arid enough for clay tablets to survive, or
>>   (2) The area being within sailing range of Egypt to import blank
>> papyrus, plus having something to trade for it.
>>   Central Europe is neither.
>>   Until someone discovered how to make parchment from animal skin.
>
>
>
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