Berglaug
Many thanks. Because Icelandic is renowned as being
conservative (linguistically), I am prepared to risk using your modern version
if I can't get hold of an Old Icelandic copy.
There is another question which may be of interest
to others as well as myself. Part of my course will show how in English,
surnames came to take the place of patronymics because of the exponential rise
in population. But Iceland has never to my knowledge had a population explosion
to compare with it. What system operates in Iceland. Do all girls (and
boys) take the names of their fathers so that there is a different patronymic in
every generation or is your last name truly a surname? I've wondered about this
on and off for years.
I think the retention of 'dottir' in last names is
wonderful. I would love it if my own daughter were called Meg Jedardottir
instead of Mc Harg.
Once again, thanks very much.
Cheers
Jed