The problem remains: as far as I know, there are no learning tapes
for Old Norse! This is because Icelandic has been the language in use
when reading Old Norse texts (noticed the similarities between
standardized Old Norse and written Icelandic). As you probably know,
Latin has no such nice offspring, so to be able to read latin a
reconstruction is needed. Since Latin has been a spoken language in
the church and in the academical world anyway, there is no problem to
make such a learning tape.
I don't know Ancient Greek to well to say anything about it, but I
assume that it has no natural offspring.

So, the reason that Old Norse is special is that
(1) It has a close offspring which can be "taped" instead,
(2) the amount of potential users is rather small since it is the
language of the Icelandic Sagas, not the root language of western
civilization.

(1) and (2) points in the direction that Old Norse learning tapes are
quite uninteresting (just take a Modern Icelandic one instead). But,
I should point out that, personally, I like to reconstruct Old Norse
pronunciation.

A question: If such an Old Norse learning tape would be recorded,
which nationality or region should the reader be from (i.e. what
accent should he have)? If we identify Old Norse with Old Icelandic
it is obvious. I wouldn't make that identification. I would prefer a
reader from my own region. A Scanian would prefer a Scanian reader. A
Gutlander would prefer a Gutlandic reader. A Finland-swede would
prefer a Finland-Swedish reader. Etc.

Sjur





--- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, "Lewis, Raymond J."
<lewisrj@...> wrote:

> Why - yes! I do believe that you should be in bed!
>
> I've seen other posts by you - so I know that you're not daft or

anything.

> Did you know, my good man, that one can, at this very moment,

purchase audio

>
> tapes on Classical Latin and Ancient Greek pronunciation? Now -

I've been

> told
> that neither the Romans or the Old Greeks had recording equipment

and, since

> I
> am a rather smug modern, I'm inclined to believe it. However,

since I'm

> also a
> really smart hick - I have an idea that the pronunciation of now

dead

> languages
> can be grasped at (i.e., reconstructed) by various means. Since you

are

> clearly
> a slick fellow, who knows many things, please let me know if I

might,

> perhaps,
> be, somewhat, on the right track here. If you find that the

correct

> path be followed, or nearly so, please indicate why it is that Old

Norse is

> so
> incredibly special that others could not have gone about the task

of the

> reconstruction
> of the pronunciation thereof. Since I, in fact, do not know that

there are

> no such
> tapes, your explanation will be most welcome.
>
> Raymond
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sjuler
> To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: 7/29/2003 8:02 PM
> Subject: [norse_course] Sv: Re: Sv: thanks
>
> Heill,
>
> I write this message 2 a.m., I should be in my bed now :)
>
> The reason that I wrote "Are you really sure that there are Old

Norse

> learning tapes on the market out there!?" is that Dorilys was

asking

> for "Old Norse [...]learning tapes". As you know, there are no such
> tapes since Old Norse is not a spoken language (any more). This
> should have been realized by Dorilys (or be realized _now_).
>
> Sjul
>
>
> --- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, "Lewis, Raymond J."
> <lewisrj@...> wrote:
> > Say - weren't you the fellow that wrote:
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------

--

> ---
> > I usually write my posts around midnight. Maybe I should be in

bed

> > then :D
> > Sjul
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------

--

> ---
> >
> > After reading this I'd have to say ----------------------->>>
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: sjuler
> > To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: 7/26/2003 4:16 PM
> > Subject: [norse_course] Andsvar: thanks
> >
> > Are you really sure that there are Old Norse learning tapes on

the

> > market out there!? I knew that the Norse culture was amongst the
> most
> > advanced ones in the medieval, but I didn't know they invented a
> > sound recording system...
> >
> > /Sjuler
> >
> > ----------------------->>>
> >
> > that it looks like you've stayed up too late again - eh?
> >
> > Raymond
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------

-

> >
> > --- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, Dorilys Turner

<khorrki@...>

> > wrote:
> > > Thanks for the wonderful pages you've sent so far. Do you know
> > where to get Old Norse or Icelandic language learning tapes, & @
> what
> > price? Sunshine & Rain!
> > >
> > >
> > > blessings, dorilys
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------