As a contribution to the ongoing discussion of the genesis of the Germanic language, this book investigates the strong verbs of Proto-Germanic using a new approach that combines historical and typological morphology with quantitative etymology. It reveals that the morphological peculiarities and the etymological problems of the strong verbs have been considerably underestimated. The first part of the book explains how drastically the inherited verb system was transformed when it was uniformized and simplified around a functionalized verbal ablaut. In particular, it is shown that the systemic position of ablaut is typologically different from that in the verb morphology of the Indo-European parent language. Moreover, the origin of the lengthened grade preterits and other well-known morphological problems of the strong verbs are discussed. After developing a methodological framework, the second part of the book presents a quantitative analysis of the etymological situation of the strong verbs. It demonstrates that the etymological relations of the strong verbs are significantly less clear than commonly assumed, as almost half of them have no accepted etymology. A comparative quantification of the primary verbs of Sanskrit and Ancient Greek, both of which possess much better etymological connections within the Indo-European language family, underlines the significance of the Germanic data and the validity of the analytical framework. Taken together, the investigations presented in this book put the Germanic strong verbs in a new and markedly different light. Their largely obscure etymological situation in combination with their far-reaching morphological restructuring has telling implications for the prehistory of the Germanic languages and suggests new pathways for future research.

Now mastering German verbs is easier than ever. Whether you need to speak German more fluently for business, want to brush up for a trip, or want to make the grade in high school or college, Webster's New World 575+ German Verbs is the only verb reference you need. This practical resource lists verbs alphabetically and includes examples demonstrating the meaning and function of the verbs to ensure that you know how to use them correctly! Webster's New World 575+ German Verbs is compact, yet comprehensive. It's packed with 575 "everyday" verbs, additional verbs to expand your vocabulary, and numerous helpful features: * 575 verbs, fully conjugated in easy-to-read charts * Full conjugation includes all persons, the three moods, and all tenses * A comprehensive verb usage review that gives you a strong foundation in German verb conjugation * More than 1,500 additional verbs in the infinitive form, fully crossreferenced * Examples of common idiomatic uses * An appendix of irregular verb forms for quick reference * Full English-to-German index of all 2,000+ verbs

The Semantics of German Verb Prefixes is the most comprehensive study ever undertaken in this area of German grammar. Using an extensive collection of naturally occurring data, the author proposes an image-schematic interpretation for each of the productive prefixes be-, ver-, er-, ent-, zer-, um-, über-, unter-, and durch-. These abstract semantic patterns underlie a remarkable range of particular meanings, and they consistently account for subtle contrasts between prefixed verbs and alternative constructions such as simple verbs, particle verbs, and verbs with other prefixes. Furthermore, the author develops a schematic meaning for the prefixed verb construction itself. This grammatical meaning reflects the interpreter’s perspective and attentional focus as the objective event is imagined to unfold. Underlying all of these proposals is a novel conception of meaning as a dynamic and flexible process with a constantly active role for the interpreter. This volume will be of great value to cognitive linguists as well as scholars and students of German who want to gain insights into a central and puzzling part of the morphosyntax and semantics of the German language.

Der altgermanischen Sprachen Gotisch, Altnordisch und Altsächsisch bis hin zu den modernen Sprachen Niederländisch, Englisch und Deutsch als Datenquellen bedienen sich die in diesem Buch erscheinenden Beiträge zur historischen Verbmorphologie. Besondere Berücksichtigung finden Themen wie die Ursprünge der starken und schwachen Verben, die Entwicklung grammatischer Kategorien im Bereich Tempus-Aspekt-Modus und sowohl deren morphologischen bzw. syntaktischen Markierung als auch deren Implikationen für die Semantik der Verbalphrase. Die Aufsätze gehen über die Beschreibung der Phänomene hinaus, indem sie sich theoretischen Fragen stellen, ohne daß sich das Buch jedoch auf nur eine bestimmte Theorie beschränkt. Die Diskussionen zur Rekonstruktion, Typologie und Analogie sowie der Grammatikalisierung, Ergativität und Polarität des germanischen Verbs werfen ein neues Licht auf die diversen Formen seiner grammatischen und semantischen Funktionen.

Provides a unique, up-to-date survey of twelve Germanic languages from English and German to Faroese and Yiddish.

This book presents a new and innovative theory on the origin of the Germanic languages. This theory presents solutions to four pivotal problems in the history of Germanic with critical implications for cultural history: the origin of the Germanic writing system (the Runic alphabet), the genesis of the Germanic strong verbs, the development of the Germanic word order, and etymologies for key elements of the Germanic lexicon. The book proposes that all four problems can be solved if it is hypothesized that over 2,000 years ago the ancestor of all Germanic languages, Proto-Germanic, was in intensive contact with Punic, a Semitic language from the Mediterranean. This scenario is explored by focusing on linguistic data, supported by an interdisciplinary mosaic of evidence. This book is of interest to anyone working on the linguistic and cultural history of the Germanic languages.

A Frequency Dictionary of German is an invaluable tool for all learners of German, providing a list of the 4,034 most frequently used words in the language. Based on a 4.2 million-word corpus which is evenly divided between spoken, fiction and non-fiction texts, the dictionary provides a detailed frequency-based list plus alphabetical and part of speech indexes. All entries in the rank frequency list feature the English equivalent, a sample sentence plus an indication of major register variation. The dictionary also contains twenty-one thematically organized lists of frequently used words on a variety of topics as well as eleven special vocabulary lists. A Frequency Dictionary of German aims to enable students of all levels to maximize their study of German vocabulary in an efficient and engaging way.

A deliciously entertaining new series by the bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency The many fans of Precious Ramotswe will find further cause for celebration in the protagonist of Alexander McCall Smith’s irresistibly funny trilogy, the eminent (if shamefully under-read) philologist Professor Dr. Mortiz-Maria von Igelfeld of the Institute at Regensburg. Unnaturally tall, hypersensitive to slights, and oblivious to his own frequent gaucheries, von Igelfeld is engaged in a never-ending quest to win the respect he knows is due him. Portuguese Irregular Verbs follows the Professor from a busman’s holiday researching old Irish obscenities to a flirtation with a desirable lady dentist. In The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs, von Igelfeld practices veterinary medicine without a license, transports relics for a schismatically challenged Coptic prelate and is mobbed by marriage-minded widows on board a Mediterranean cruise ship. In At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances, the final novel in the trilogy, we find our hero suffering the slings of academic intrigue as a visiting fellow at Cambridge, and the slings of outrageous fortune in an eventful Columbian adventure.

McGraw-Hill's Big Books not only include more verbs and a better selection than their competitors, but they also provide ample contextual examples that show you how the verbs are actually used. Features include: 555 fully conjugated verbs Extensive examples illustrating basic meanings for the top 50 verbs Verb exercises Clear coverage of the unique aspects of the language's verbs And more