Gertjan Postma
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199582624
- eISBN:
- 9780191731068
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199582624.003.0007
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
This chapter examines a prototypical case of grammatical borrowing from a neighbouring language: the introduction of the reflexive pronoun in the Lower Countries from the late Middle Ages onwards. ...
More
This chapter examines a prototypical case of grammatical borrowing from a neighbouring language: the introduction of the reflexive pronoun in the Lower Countries from the late Middle Ages onwards. While Middle Dutch did not make a distinction between local and non-local binding using pronominal (e.g., English ‘him’) and reflexive pronouns (e.g., English ‘himself’), Dutch dialects began using sich ‘himself’ as a reflexive, borrowed from neighbouring German dialects. From a language where binding features did not seem to play a role, Dutch developed into a language where binding features are fully active. The chapter demonstrates that the change has not been triggered by an imposition of the binding features (anaphoric/pronominal) from outside, through prestige of the Eastern grammatical system, but that it was internally triggered. It was triggered by the decline of a marked parameter setting that neutralized the Binding Theory. The chapter shows that rules of Universal Grammar are active in a change that was fuelled by simplification through internal areal convergence in this globalizing and state-building period of the Low Countries. Internal factors created a gap in the system, which attracted the Eastern reflexive forms.Less
This chapter examines a prototypical case of grammatical borrowing from a neighbouring language: the introduction of the reflexive pronoun in the Lower Countries from the late Middle Ages onwards. While Middle Dutch did not make a distinction between local and non-local binding using pronominal (e.g., English ‘him’) and reflexive pronouns (e.g., English ‘himself’), Dutch dialects began using sich ‘himself’ as a reflexive, borrowed from neighbouring German dialects. From a language where binding features did not seem to play a role, Dutch developed into a language where binding features are fully active. The chapter demonstrates that the change has not been triggered by an imposition of the binding features (anaphoric/pronominal) from outside, through prestige of the Eastern grammatical system, but that it was internally triggered. It was triggered by the decline of a marked parameter setting that neutralized the Binding Theory. The chapter shows that rules of Universal Grammar are active in a change that was fuelled by simplification through internal areal convergence in this globalizing and state-building period of the Low Countries. Internal factors created a gap in the system, which attracted the Eastern reflexive forms.
Marleen Cré
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780859898218
- eISBN:
- 9781781380413
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5949/liverpool/9780859898218.003.0009
- Subject:
- Literature, Early and Medieval Literature
The Middle Dutch translation of the long (IP) version of the thirteenth-century Latin treatise De doctrina cordis (The Doctrine of the Hert) has been variously attributed to Hugh of St Cher or Gerard ...
More
The Middle Dutch translation of the long (IP) version of the thirteenth-century Latin treatise De doctrina cordis (The Doctrine of the Hert) has been variously attributed to Hugh of St Cher or Gerard of Liège. The IP translation survives in two manuscripts: Vienna, ÖNB, MS 15231; and Vienna, ÖNB, MS Ser. nov. 12805. The most important manuscript of the Middle Dutch IP translation is Vienna, Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, MS 15231, which was used and copied in a community of Augustinian canonesses within the sphere of influence of the Windesheim Chapter. The Latin De doctrina cordis was translated into the vernacular of Western Flanders for the sisters of St Trudo Abbey. Guido Hendrix believes that the Middle Dutch translation of De doctrina in Vienna, ÖNB, MS 15231, was translated from Leiden, Bibliotheek der Rijksuniversiteit, MS BPL 2579. The attitude of De bouc van der leeringhe van der herten with regard to contemplation and mystical experience is the same as the Windesheim attitude toward mysticism in the second half of the fifteenth century.Less
The Middle Dutch translation of the long (IP) version of the thirteenth-century Latin treatise De doctrina cordis (The Doctrine of the Hert) has been variously attributed to Hugh of St Cher or Gerard of Liège. The IP translation survives in two manuscripts: Vienna, ÖNB, MS 15231; and Vienna, ÖNB, MS Ser. nov. 12805. The most important manuscript of the Middle Dutch IP translation is Vienna, Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, MS 15231, which was used and copied in a community of Augustinian canonesses within the sphere of influence of the Windesheim Chapter. The Latin De doctrina cordis was translated into the vernacular of Western Flanders for the sisters of St Trudo Abbey. Guido Hendrix believes that the Middle Dutch translation of De doctrina in Vienna, ÖNB, MS 15231, was translated from Leiden, Bibliotheek der Rijksuniversiteit, MS BPL 2579. The attitude of De bouc van der leeringhe van der herten with regard to contemplation and mystical experience is the same as the Windesheim attitude toward mysticism in the second half of the fifteenth century.
