Earliest Attested High German Words and Their Legacy in Modern German129

Introduction

The High German language family encompasses a diverse group of dialects and languages spoken across Central and Eastern Europe. These languages share a common ancestor in Old High German, which was spoken from the 8th to the 11th centuries. Old High German texts, such as the Codex Abrogans and the Hildebrandlied, provide valuable insights into the vocabulary and grammar of the early High German language.

Earliest Attested High German Words

The earliest attested High German words appear in glossaries and interlinear translations of Latin texts from the 8th century. These words include:
uuâr (modern German "wahr"): true
tag (modern German "Tag"): day
heim (modern German "Heim"): home
wasser (modern German "Wasser"): water
man (modern German "Mann"): man

Preservation of Old High German Words in Modern German

Many Old High German words have survived into Modern German with little or no change in form or meaning. For example, the word "tag" has remained virtually unchanged for over a thousand years.

Some words have undergone subtle shifts in meaning. For instance, the Old High German word "heim" originally meant "house" or "home," but it now has a more abstract meaning, referring to a sense of belonging or a place of origin.

Other Old High German words have become more specialized in meaning. The word "wasser," for example, now primarily refers to drinking water, whereas in Old High German it could also refer to other liquids or bodies of water.

Phonological Changes in High German Words

Over time, the High German language has undergone significant phonological changes, leading to further distinctions between Old High German and Modern German. One major change is the shift from a two-vowel system to a three-vowel system. In Old High German, there were only two long vowels, /aː/ and /oː/, and two short vowels, /a/ and /o/. In Modern German, there are three long vowels, /aː/, /eː/, and /oː/, and three short vowels, /a/, /e/, and /o/.

Another major change is the development of diphthongs in Modern German. In Old High German, there were no diphthongs, but in Modern German, there are a number of common diphthongs, such as /ai̯/, /au̯/, and /oi̯/.

Conclusion

The earliest attested High German words provide a glimpse into the origins of the High German language family. Many of these words have survived into Modern German with little change, while others have undergone subtle shifts in meaning or pronunciation. The phonological changes that have occurred in High German over time have further differentiated it from its Old High German ancestor.

2025-02-24

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