old high german
Definition
- Proper noun:
- A historical West Germanic language: Old High German refers to the earliest recorded stage of the German language, used from around 500 to 1050 AD. It represents the ancestral form of modern Standard German and other High German dialects.
Usage
- As a subject of study: Old High German is studied to understand the linguistic history and development of the German language.
- In historical context: It denotes the language used in specific historical texts and periods before the Middle High German period.
Examples
- Proper noun:
- The "Hildebrandslied" is a famous heroic poem written in Old High German.
- Linguists analyze sound shifts between Old High German and Old Saxon.
Advanced Usage
- In linguistic terminology: The term is used to designate a specific node in the Germanic language family tree.
- The Second Sound Shift is a defining feature separating Old High German from other West Germanic dialects.
Variants and Related Words
- Old Saxon: A closely related contemporary West Germanic language.
- Middle High German: The subsequent historical stage of the German language (c. 1050–1350 AD).
- Old English: A parallel, contemporary West Germanic language spoken in England.
Synonyms
- OHG (abbreviation): A common academic abbreviation for Old High German.
- Althochdeutsch: The German term for Old High German.
Notes
- Historical Scope: It is crucial to note that "Old High German" is not a single unified language but a collection of related dialects used in the southern, highland regions of the German-speaking area.
- Contrast with "Old German": While sometimes used informally, "Old German" is ambiguous. "Old High German" is the precise historical linguistic term.
Noun
-
High German prior to 1200
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