In order to delete all misunderstandings current and
common on this list that Old Norse (aka Old Icelandic)
is FAR REMOVED from Modern Icelandic, here is the
first paragraph of NJÁLS SAGA in Old Icelandic (line
above) and Modern Icelandic (line below). No liberties
have been employed, except the one employed by our
teachers, for obvious reasons = o-with-a-tail is shown
as ö. So here we go.
Study this carefully - and then decide for yourselves
that Old Icelandic (above) and Modern Icelandic (below)
are two different languages, two separate hamburgers
that can't be eaten together (according to Óskarr!) :
Old: Mörðr hét maðr er kallaðr var gígja; hann var sonr
Mod: Mörður hét maður er kallaður var gígja; hann var sonur
Old: Sighvats ins rauða; hann bjó á Velli á Rangárvöllum.
Mod: Sighvats hins rauða; hann bjó á Velli á Rangárvöllum.
Old: Hann var ríkr höfðingi ok málafylgjumaðr mikill ok
Mod: Hann var ríkur höfðingi og málafylgjumaður mikill og
Old: svá mikill lögmaðr, at engir þóttu lögligir dómar
Mod: svo mikill lögmaður, að engir þóttu löglegir dómar
Old: doemðir nema hann væri við. Hann átti dóttur eina,
Mod: dæmdir nema hann væri við. Hann átti dóttur eina,
Old: er Unnr hét; hon var væn kona ok kurteis ok vel at
Mod: er Unnur hét; hún var væn kona og kurteis og vel að
Old: sér, ok þótti sá beztr kostr á Rangárvöllum.
Mod: sér, og þótti sá beztur kostur á Rangárvöllum.
If the teachers can explain to us how on earth we can
learn the language of the "Old" line shown above, without,
at the same time, learning the language of the "Mod" line,
we would be grateful indeed.
I'm sure they can glibly talk their way out of this, and
that I will admire them even more for their brilliant
intellects, but ... I say no more. (And NO! - I am NOT
interested in Keth's silly opinions on this particular
matter.)