The etymology of the Old Germanic Ethnonyms

The project "The etymology of the Old Germanic ethnonyms" is based on the preceeding project P 16044-G03 "Old Germanic ethnonyms". The project aims to give a critical survey of the relevant scientific literature (up to 2004) on those Old Germanic ethnonyms, that haven`t been treated in the preceeding project. It is especially important, because only the publication of all 330 articles can make the material usable for further research an therewith for further scientific advance. Although the problems and questions concerning Germanic anticity have changed in the course of time, the situation, that for the oldest period our only source of language are names, is still the same. The research on Old Germanic onomastics is of vital importance for all scientific branches dealing with Germanic anticity - linguists may learn more about the Old Germanic sound system an some of its morphological elements; for culturological studies they provide an insight into central values of society, because Old Germanic names are always to be (and have always been) understood as meaningful. Especially the ethnonyms are significant - a central question here is "endonyms vs. exonyms". It also has to be discussed, wether Old Germanic ethnonyms contain information about (former) settlement areas of the concerning peoples, i.e. if they contain information that can be used to reconstruct their migrations. The scientific literature on the Old Germanic ethnonyms abounds and is widespread published. Often it turns out, that older observations become actual again in the light of new discussions.

The project "The etymology of the Old Germanic ethnonyms" is based on the preceeding project P 16044-G03 "Old Germanic ethnonyms". The project aims to give a critical survey of the relevant scientific literature (up to 2004) on those Old Germanic ethnonyms, that haven`t been treated in the preceeding project. It is especially important, because only the publication of all 330 articles can make the material usable for further research an therewith for further scientific advance. Although the problems and questions concerning Germanic anticity have changed in the course of time, the situation, that for the oldest period our only source of language are names, is still the same. The research on Old Germanic onomastics is of vital importance for all scientific branches dealing with Germanic anticity - linguists may learn more about the Old Germanic sound system an some of its morphological elements; for culturological studies they provide an insight into central values of society, because Old Germanic names are always to be (and have always been) understood as meaningful. Especially the ethnonyms are significant - a central question here is "endonyms vs. exonyms". It also has to be discussed, wether Old Germanic ethnonyms contain information about (former) settlement areas of the concerning peoples, i.e. if they contain information that can be used to reconstruct their migrations. The scientific literature on the Old Germanic ethnonyms abounds and is widespread published. Often it turns out, that older observations become actual again in the light of new discussions.