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Women's Names in Old English

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Women's Names in Old English by Elisabeth Okasha offers an in-depth exploration of the naming conventions found in Old English documents. The book challenges prevailing assumptions that the grammatical gender of a name's second element reliably indicates the individual's biological sex, particularly in di-thematic names. Without surviving Anglo-Saxon explanations or name lists, this study critically examines how sex distinctions were understood in vernacular nomenclature, providing a thought-provoking analysis for those interested in Old English manuscripts and early medieval history.
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Format: Hardback
$37600
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for historians, linguists, and scholars with an interest in Anglo-Saxon culture, early medieval history, and the complexities of vernacular naming practices in Old English manuscripts.

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A study into the issue of vernacular names in Old English documents. It challenges the generally accepted notion that the sex of an individual is definitively indicated by the grammatical gender of their name. It is suitable for those with an interest in Old English manuscripts or early medieval history.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This monograph provides an in-depth study into the issue of vernacular names in Old English documents. Specifically, it challenges the generally accepted notion that the sex of an individual is definitively indicated by the grammatical gender of their name.

In the case of di-thematic names, the grammatical gender in question is that of the second element of the name. Thus, di-thematic names have been taken as belonging to women if their second element is grammatically feminine. However, as there are no surviving Anglo-Saxon texts which explain the principles of vernacular nomenclature, or any contemporary list of Old English personal names, it is by no means sure that this assumption is correct.

While modern scholars have generally felt no difficulty in distinguishing male from female names, Women's Names in Old English asks how far the Anglo-Saxons themselves recognised this distinction, and in so doing critically examines and tests the general principle that grammatical gender is a certain indicator of biological sex.

Anyone with an interest in Old English manuscripts or early medieval history will find this book both thought-provoking and a useful reference tool for better understanding the Anglo-Saxon world.

Series: Studies in Early Medieval Britain and Ireland

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  • Women's Names in Old English
    This monograph provides an in-depth study into the issue of vernacular names in Old English documents. Specifically, it challenges the generally accepted notion that the sex of an individual is definitively indicated by the grammatical gender of their name. In the case of di-thematic names, the grammatical gender in question is that of the second element of the name. Thus,...
    Hardback
    $37600
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Speculum describes Okasha's work as a thorough and methodical study that serves as a valuable starting point for further research. The book is praised for its clear structure and concise prose, making it a useful reference for understanding women's names in Old English while inviting ongoing scholarly discussion.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781409400103

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 May 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Routledge

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 430g

Pages: 150

About the Author

Dr Elisabeth Okasha, Acting Director, Language Centre, University College Cork, Ireland

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