Abstract
This paper offers a descriptive account of direct speech in texts written in Old
Frisian (extending till 1550). A distinction is made between two types of this stylistic device: imaginary, as found in narrative texts, and authentic, which regards recordings of sentences spoken in a conversation or an allocution. Fixed formulaic phrases in legal texts, though having the appearance of direct speech, were obviously excluded from this investigation.
The number of instances found is small, while true dialogues are even entirely
lacking. The percentage of direct speech quotes in narrative texts – scarce
as they are – turns out to be about the same as in some Old English narrative
poems. About twenty specimens of authentic direct speech could be gathered
from witness depositions and witness testimonies. Although they are perhaps
somewhat less lively than might be expected, they still convey an impression of
the spoken form of the late Old Frisian vernacular.
Frisian (extending till 1550). A distinction is made between two types of this stylistic device: imaginary, as found in narrative texts, and authentic, which regards recordings of sentences spoken in a conversation or an allocution. Fixed formulaic phrases in legal texts, though having the appearance of direct speech, were obviously excluded from this investigation.
The number of instances found is small, while true dialogues are even entirely
lacking. The percentage of direct speech quotes in narrative texts – scarce
as they are – turns out to be about the same as in some Old English narrative
poems. About twenty specimens of authentic direct speech could be gathered
from witness depositions and witness testimonies. Although they are perhaps
somewhat less lively than might be expected, they still convey an impression of
the spoken form of the late Old Frisian vernacular.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | From West to North Frisia A Journey along the North Sea Coast. Frisian studies in honour of Jarich Hoekstra |
| Editors | Alistair Walker, Eric Hoekstra, Goffe Jensma, Wendy Vanselow, Willem Visser, Christoph Winter |
| Place of Publication | Amsterdam/Philadelphia |
| Publisher | John Benjamins Publishing |
| Pages | 423-436 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978 90 272 5826 7 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978 90 272 1016 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Feb 2022 |
Publication series
| Name | NOWELE Supplement Series (NSS) |
|---|---|
| Publisher | John Benjamins Publishing |
| Volume | 33 |
| ISSN (Print) | 0900-8675 |