Old English etymologies in Christfrid Ganander’s Nytt Finskt Lexicon (1787)
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Matti Kilpiö
Abstract
Christfrid Ganander’s (1741–1790) Nytt Finskt Lexicon is the first etymological Finnish dictionary. Due to unfavourable circumstances, it was not published in the author’s lifetime but it did survive in manuscript form. The dictionary, which has more than 30,000 headwords, contains close on 50 Old English lexemes given as etymological counterparts of Finnish words in 45 entries. The present article has two main aims: first, to show in the light of our present knowledge to what extent the Old English etymologies are valid or erroneous, and secondly, to try to trace the sources Ganander utilized for his etymological discussions. It turns out that almost one half of Ganander’s Old English etymologies are mistaken. It would be wrong, however, to pass a severe judgment on Ganander as a lexicographer. Seen against the background of similar efforts in his own time, Ganander’s lexicographical achievement is valuable even in the area of etymology.
Abstract
Christfrid Ganander’s (1741–1790) Nytt Finskt Lexicon is the first etymological Finnish dictionary. Due to unfavourable circumstances, it was not published in the author’s lifetime but it did survive in manuscript form. The dictionary, which has more than 30,000 headwords, contains close on 50 Old English lexemes given as etymological counterparts of Finnish words in 45 entries. The present article has two main aims: first, to show in the light of our present knowledge to what extent the Old English etymologies are valid or erroneous, and secondly, to try to trace the sources Ganander utilized for his etymological discussions. It turns out that almost one half of Ganander’s Old English etymologies are mistaken. It would be wrong, however, to pass a severe judgment on Ganander as a lexicographer. Seen against the background of similar efforts in his own time, Ganander’s lexicographical achievement is valuable even in the area of etymology.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Tabula gratulatoria vii
- Preface ix
- Introduction xiii
-
Part I. History of dictionaries
- The Flores of Ouide (1513) 3
- “Halles Lanfranke” and its most excellent and learned expositive table 17
- John Lane’s Verball 41
- The linking of lemma to gloss in Elyot’s Dictionary (1538) 55
- Music amidst the tumult 79
- Chaos and old night 91
- Online dictionaries of English slang 109
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Part II. Word history and cultural history
- Old English etymologies in Christfrid Ganander’s Nytt Finskt Lexicon (1787) 131
- The origin of the word yeoman 153
- Early East India Company merchants and a rare word for sex 169
- From denominal to deverbal 193
- A gente Anglorum appellatur 219
- William Lambarde and Thomas Milles in search of the golden past 233
- Contempt 249
- A lexical skirmish 269
- Index of subjects 287
- Index of personal names 291
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Tabula gratulatoria vii
- Preface ix
- Introduction xiii
-
Part I. History of dictionaries
- The Flores of Ouide (1513) 3
- “Halles Lanfranke” and its most excellent and learned expositive table 17
- John Lane’s Verball 41
- The linking of lemma to gloss in Elyot’s Dictionary (1538) 55
- Music amidst the tumult 79
- Chaos and old night 91
- Online dictionaries of English slang 109
-
Part II. Word history and cultural history
- Old English etymologies in Christfrid Ganander’s Nytt Finskt Lexicon (1787) 131
- The origin of the word yeoman 153
- Early East India Company merchants and a rare word for sex 169
- From denominal to deverbal 193
- A gente Anglorum appellatur 219
- William Lambarde and Thomas Milles in search of the golden past 233
- Contempt 249
- A lexical skirmish 269
- Index of subjects 287
- Index of personal names 291
