Shift of Stress-accent

From: Patrick Ryan
Message: 51414
Date: 2008-01-18

stroðinn and sorðinn are perfect illustrations of the process I have identified as occasioning the presence of the thematic vowel; namely, a shift right from C'VC(V) to CV'CV signifies active versus passive involvement with the action.
 
If we start with a theoretical *soroð, stress-accenting the first syllable produces *sór(o)ð, 'coupled (one)'; stress-accenting the second syllable produces *s(o)róð, 'coupler', into which a -t- is inserted for ease of pronunciation: stróðinn.
 
 
Patrick