old saxon
Definition
- Proper noun:
- Old Saxon: A historical West Germanic language, the earliest recorded form of Low German, spoken from approximately the 8th to the 12th centuries in the northwestern regions of Germany. It is the ancestor of modern Low German (Plattdeutsch) dialects.
Usage
- Proper noun:
- The Heliand is an epic poem written in Old Saxon.
- Linguists study Old Saxon to understand the development of the Germanic language family.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Linguistics Context: The term "Old Saxon" is used specifically to denote the language stage prior to about 1200 AD, after which it is referred to as Middle Low German.
- Old Saxon shows fewer High German consonant shifts compared to Old High German.
Variants and Related Words
- Low German (Plattdeutsch): The modern descendant language group of Old Saxon.
- Middle Low German: The form of the language used from approximately 1200 to 1600 AD, which succeeded Old Saxon and served as a lingua franca in the Hanseatic League.
Synonyms
- Ancient Saxon (less common, used in some historical texts).
Notes on Meaning
- Language vs. People: "Old Saxon" refers exclusively to the language. The people from this historical period and region are typically referred to as "Saxons."
- The Saxons spoke Old Saxon.
Noun
-
Low German prior to 1200
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