[gothic-l] Re: Germanic Migrations

[keth at ONLINE.NO]

Dirk wrote:

>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
>migration, rather a language shift.

All this agrees with opinions stated by other linguists on the
net some years ago, an opinion that seemed convincing to me,
which is why I remembered it, and also used the year 700 BC
in my post a few days ago. Note that 700 BC is just a few centuries
before the beginning of the Iron Age in Scandinavia.
My own speculation was that the expansion of the early
Germans had something to do with their early ability
to use iron. But at the same time I should like to
maintain that the language spoken in major parts of
South Scandinavia (Skagen/Kattegat/Øresund area + Baltic islands)
before the arisal of Proto-Germanic was a variety of Indo-European,
which had been spoken there during the whole Bronze Age
as well as during part of the Neolithic.






>(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

Professor Elert does say here, though, that "it is an assumption".
In other words, the old default idea of "Germanic from Germania".

There may however exist reasons for why such an assumption has been
made. One reason may have been a "principle of continuity" in connection
with an idea of "the shortest distance" as the most likely
possibility. The "shortest distance" here would be the distance to
Italy, where I have heard that the ancient Venetians form an
important piece of the puzzle. Anybody care to comment on this?

Keth



>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
>
>



-------------------------- eGroups Sponsor -------------------------~-~>
Create your business web site your way now at Bigstep.com.
It's the fast, easy way to get online, to promote your business,
and to sell your products and services. Try Bigstep.com now.
http://click.egroups.com/1/9183/3/_/3398/_/973387489/
---------------------------------------------------------------------_->

You are a member of the Gothic-L list.  To unsubscribe, send a blank email to <gothic-l-unsubscribe at egroups.com>.
Homepage: http://www.stormloader.com/carver/gothicl/index.html