Rúnirnar eru 'bein' málsins:
The runes are the 'bones' of the language.
By punctuating these early Viking Age runes, we can arrive at any
dialect of Norse, east or west, from about 800-1200. Only very
seldom do we actually have to change a rune or add a new one. Final
U some places in Nom. & Dat. Sg. Fem. and Nom. & Acc. Pl. Neut. are
examples of potential additions in writing very early dialects. The
replacement of 'sam/sem' by 'sum/som' in certain dialects of east
Norse is an example where we would have to change a rune. The text
seen above is the bare root-text for every dialect of Old Norse with
no exception. The only thing unusual here is that I have chosen to
write 'is' instead of 'iR' in line 11 word 1 and 's' in both line 4
word 1 and line 15 word 1. This is unusual only because the Proto-
Norse form of the word is 'ez (=eR)', which would have to be shown
by R. Once you have closely examined the runic-text version which I
have just sent to be posted, you will learn the answers to this and
any other questions you may have about precisely why it is written
and punctuated as it is. For now, learn the actual Old Icelandic
text above. Use a dictionary. Post your translations for review. I
will post a literal translation of the text shortly. Once you have
come to understand the text and have closely examined the runic-text
version to be posted by Haukur, then we can experiment with the text
and translate it into other Norse dialects or otherwise have fun
with it. I expect a lot of questions about every word, spelling, and
dot in the runic-text version. Examine every point. Ask any question
and enjoy every word quoted from this beautiful song - a part of the
traditional Norse Word. I look forword to hearing from you.