, and cannot be dispensed with in
scientific works. The essential thing for the beginner is to
have _regular_ forms presented to him, to the exclusion, as far
as possible, of isolated archaisms, and to have the defective
distinctions of the MSS. supplemented by diacritics. I have not
hesitated to substitute (??) for (??) as the mark of length; the
latter ought in my opinion to be used exclusively--in Icelandic
as well as in Old English and Old Irish--to represent the actual
accents of the MSS.
In the grammar I have to acknowledge my great obligations to
Noreen's _Altisl?¤ndische Grammatik_, which is by far the best
Icelandic grammar that has yet appeared--at least from that
narrow point of view which ignores syntax, and concentrates
itself on phonology and inflections.
The texts are intended to be as easy, interesting, and
representative as possible. With such a language, and such a
master of it as Snorri to choose from, this combination is not
difficult to realise. The beginner is indeed to be envied who
makes his first acquaintance with the splendid mythological tales
of the North, told in an absolutely perfect style.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25