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Chapter 6: Syntax

  • Rafał Molencki
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Volume 2 Old English
This chapter is in the book Volume 2 Old English

Abstract

As a typical Germanic language, Old English has a predominantly synthetic syntax. Flexible word order is determined on pragmatic grounds rather than according to strict syntactic rules. There is a theoretical controversy as to whether the underlying order is SOV or in transition from SOV to SVO. Nouns take four cases, but since in most declensions nominative and accusative forms are identical, the subject-object contrast has to be shown by position rather than by inflectional endings. Finite verbs basically take two tenses (present and preterit), but complex tense forms (especially ancestors of the modern perfect) are also found. The subjunctive mood is the norm in nonfactive contexts and/or in some types of subordinate clauses. Old English makes use of two infinitives (plain vs. inflected) and two participles (active vs. passive). In clause combining paratactic devices (very often repetitive) are much more frequent than subordination.

Abstract

As a typical Germanic language, Old English has a predominantly synthetic syntax. Flexible word order is determined on pragmatic grounds rather than according to strict syntactic rules. There is a theoretical controversy as to whether the underlying order is SOV or in transition from SOV to SVO. Nouns take four cases, but since in most declensions nominative and accusative forms are identical, the subject-object contrast has to be shown by position rather than by inflectional endings. Finite verbs basically take two tenses (present and preterit), but complex tense forms (especially ancestors of the modern perfect) are also found. The subjunctive mood is the norm in nonfactive contexts and/or in some types of subordinate clauses. Old English makes use of two infinitives (plain vs. inflected) and two participles (active vs. passive). In clause combining paratactic devices (very often repetitive) are much more frequent than subordination.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Table of Contents V
  3. Abbreviations VII
  4. Chapter 1: Introduction 1
  5. Chapter 2: Pre-Old English 8
  6. Chapter 3: Old English: Overview 32
  7. Chapter 4: Phonology 50
  8. Chapter 5: Morphology 73
  9. Chapter 6: Syntax 100
  10. Chapter 7: Semantics and Lexicon 125
  11. Chapter 8: Pragmatics and Discourse 140
  12. Chapter 9: Dialects 160
  13. Chapter 10: Language Contact: Latin 187
  14. Chapter 11: English Contact: Norse 202
  15. Chapter 12: Standardization 220
  16. Chapter 13: Literary Language 236
  17. Chapter 14: Early Textual Resources 254
  18. Index 271
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110525304-006

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Table of Contents V
  3. Abbreviations VII
  4. Chapter 1: Introduction 1
  5. Chapter 2: Pre-Old English 8
  6. Chapter 3: Old English: Overview 32
  7. Chapter 4: Phonology 50
  8. Chapter 5: Morphology 73
  9. Chapter 6: Syntax 100
  10. Chapter 7: Semantics and Lexicon 125
  11. Chapter 8: Pragmatics and Discourse 140
  12. Chapter 9: Dialects 160
  13. Chapter 10: Language Contact: Latin 187
  14. Chapter 11: English Contact: Norse 202
  15. Chapter 12: Standardization 220
  16. Chapter 13: Literary Language 236
  17. Chapter 14: Early Textual Resources 254
  18. Index 271
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