Hello, Keth.

I'm taking the liberty of answering
some points from your letter even if
it is styled to Óskar.

> I asked you what dictionary/dictionaries/grammarbooks are your
> own favorite tools when you want to find out things about Old Norse.
> But you did not reply that question. (yet)

We don't use dictionaries or grammars terribly
much (we are under the impression that we know
the language we are teaching). When I do wonder
about the precise meaning of a particular word
I usually go and search for it in the OI-texts
available online (Netútgáfan etc.).

The books I do use for reference are:

Íslensk orðabók
Íslensk orðsifjabók
Lexicon poeticum

(And I would use more if I had more.)

> Who was it that mentioned writing some C-programs (or was it Java)
> that might be useful for language study? Was it Arlie?

Arlie mentioned writing a C-routine for
conversion of characters, as I recall.

> How about creating a web page where there
> is a language test. Let's say there was a
> list of one hundred "legitimate" nouns.
> (an arbitrary number, here only by way of example)
> You then go to the web page and you press a
> button called <Test Noun>. The web page then
> draws one of the hundred nouns "from the bag"
> at random. Let us say the word "wolf" comes up.
> You then press another button on the web page,
> say <Test Declination>, and the java-routine answers
> by popping up a dialogue box that says (for example)
> "2nd plur". You the have to fill in what you
> think the 2nd plur of "ulfr" is.

What is a "2nd plur"?

> Also, when you start the test, there might be a panel, where you
> choose your level. e.g. level = "Lesson 03". You will then be tested
> on all the nouns that are legitimate up to and including Lesson 3.
> Many variations are possible.
>
> Is there anyone around on this list who might be able to write such
> a program without too much difficulty?

I have thought about writing Java-applets to do something
like you're describing. It would be considerable work
for me though and I don't know if it would be worth it.

If there is general interest I suppose we could give
it a try (I'm sure Arlie would help me out:)

> Another project that might be worth while, is one
> where you punch in any ON word. The program then
> tells you whether it is in the Edda or not. But
> then it also immediately quotes all places in the
> Edda where the word occurs; with good literal
> English translations next to it. A kind of
> electronic Edda concordance. (you can also
> start from an English word - that would be ideal)

This idea seems to be spreading like a virus.

> But now I understand Oskar is using a different
> model. (crew versus passenger)

Actually I thought that comment of his was rather nasty;)

> I hope Oskar won't refuse me if I post on topic though.

In my opinion pretty much everything regarding the ON
language is on topic. People are sensible enough to
weed out what they don't want to read. I think Óskar
was suggesting that your time might be better spent
otherwise, not that he intended to censor you in any
way.

>I dunno, Oskar. Maybe there were lots of people out
>there who already appreciated my efforts. I too answered
>the poll. But if only a minoriy actually chooses to vote,
>the polls don't tell you very much about the 90% who
>didn't vote.

Maybe. I don't know. My gut feeling is that the number
of people active in this course is about the same as the
number of people participating in "the polls". I.e. less
than twenty people.

> Yes. Right now I am looking at a piece of phonetic
> script that has been used to transcribe a piece of
> Icelandic prose. I should like to copy it and send
> it to the list. Then we could have a discussion that
> we might all benefit from. But right now I am a bit
> unsure whether it would be on topic. ?

Come now, bring it along. It sounds
like it would be of interest:)

Best regards,
Haukur