----- Original Message -----
From: "Haukur Thorgeirsson" <haukurth@...>
To: <norse_course@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 1:02 AM
Subject: Re: [norse_course] Runes
Haukur wrote:
"He does have a lot of correct information, though,
and he makes some attempt to list the phonetic
value of runes. His book, however, is not intended
for a language student and he mostly deals with
the runic alphabet (futhark) of the pre-Viking period."
Thorsson's rune magic book (_Futhark_) synthesizes subjective and objective
elements, and is perhaps not the best for one seeking purely objective
historical/linguistic facts.
I would recommend his later book _Runelore_ (as did Tyranese in an earlier
post). Runelore is clearly divided into objective (exoteric) runelore, and
subjective (esoteric) runelore. Thus you can clearly distinguish
factual/historical information from inner understandings/perspectives.
However, if you want a completely objective/adademic approach, see _Runes
and Magic: Magical Formulaic Elements in the Older Runic Tradition_ which
should be available from a good university library. The works of R.I. Page
(_Introduction to English Runes_, and _Runes_), R.W. Elliot (Runes: An
Introduction) and E. Moltke (_Runes and their Origin: Denmark and
Elsewhere_) are also standard, and recommended. If you read German, try
Klaus Düwell's _Runenkunde_ revised edition, 2001.
The following site has a good bibliography of primary and secondary
resources, some of which have a linguistic focus:
http://home.ica.net/~runesmith/bibliogr/acad.html
In any event, it really depends on whether you are just interested in
reading *about* runes (in Old Norse or otherwise), or attempting to *use*
them. In both cases, a firm objective foundation will serve one well.
Furthermore, knowing the language that the runes were written in is possibly
the best way to truly appreciate them through understanding their cultural
context.
Regards,
Aaron Cheak