Some philological implications of punctuation in editions of Middle English texts
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Sabina Nedelius
Abstract
This study investigates the use of editions with modernised punctuation for linguistic enquiries. While previous studies have highlighted potential qualitative issues with using such editions, this study provides a quantitative analysis in order to give insight into how often editions with modernised punctuation tend to deviate from their manuscript’s punctuation. By doing so, this study provides further insight into how frequently the use of such editions may potentially lead the linguistic scholar astray. This study reveals that a high proportion of the punctuation marks encountered in the studied editions have no corresponding mark in the manuscript, ultimately concluding that the use of such editions may have an impact on the current understanding of Middle English syntax and text interpretation.
Abstract
This study investigates the use of editions with modernised punctuation for linguistic enquiries. While previous studies have highlighted potential qualitative issues with using such editions, this study provides a quantitative analysis in order to give insight into how often editions with modernised punctuation tend to deviate from their manuscript’s punctuation. By doing so, this study provides further insight into how frequently the use of such editions may potentially lead the linguistic scholar astray. This study reveals that a high proportion of the punctuation marks encountered in the studied editions have no corresponding mark in the manuscript, ultimately concluding that the use of such editions may have an impact on the current understanding of Middle English syntax and text interpretation.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Introduction 1
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Part I. Syntax and word order
- Parataxis and hypotaxis in the history of English 10
- Two types of left-dislocation in Old English 34
- Subject-verb agreement and the rise of do -support in the period of anglicisation of Scots 53
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Part II. Diachronic linguistic change
- A modern light on diachronic processes affecting coda /l/ in English 82
- Modality and the English subjunctive in noun clauses 103
- Some philological implications of punctuation in editions of Middle English texts 120
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Part III. Lexicography and lexis
- The unfinished double glosses in Durham Cathedral Library, MS A.iv.19 144
- Early modern manuscripts containing Old English dictionaries in England and northern Germany 166
- Loss of wiþer -words in English 191
- Investigating the dynamics of the lexicon 212
- Index 233
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Syntax and word order
- Parataxis and hypotaxis in the history of English 10
- Two types of left-dislocation in Old English 34
- Subject-verb agreement and the rise of do -support in the period of anglicisation of Scots 53
-
Part II. Diachronic linguistic change
- A modern light on diachronic processes affecting coda /l/ in English 82
- Modality and the English subjunctive in noun clauses 103
- Some philological implications of punctuation in editions of Middle English texts 120
-
Part III. Lexicography and lexis
- The unfinished double glosses in Durham Cathedral Library, MS A.iv.19 144
- Early modern manuscripts containing Old English dictionaries in England and northern Germany 166
- Loss of wiþer -words in English 191
- Investigating the dynamics of the lexicon 212
- Index 233
