Heilsa Kenneth,
The nineteenth rune of the fuþark is: e, a vowel transliterated as <e>. As with all runic vowels two sounds are represented, an example of each can be found on the C6th. Järsberg Stone, where in the word 'ek' meaning 'I' the 'e' is short; whilst in the word 'haite' meaning 'named' the 'e' is long.
These two sounds are denoted as [e] and [e:] but the modern English equivalents are not so obvious. The (OED) notarises the sounds as 'e' short but 'a' long that is; (e) and (á) respectively. These are the sounds most scholars consider to be found in the examples 'met' and 'mate'. However, in modern English, we tend to diphthong our (á) such that it has the sound [ei] rather than [e:].
For example, we say [ei] in 'date' but [e:] in vacation. The difference is only slight, and even though the (OED) does not differentiate, these differences should be borne in mind.
Refs.: Dickens p.15, Elliot p.17, Haugen p.119, Kisbert p.13, Sweet p.1, Wise pp.17,27.
Howdy List!
Does anyone have any opinions on whether the sound of the rune eihwaz is long I
("eye"), or long A ("aye")?
Thanks!
Ken Shaw
A Norse funny farm, overrun by smart people.
Homepage: http://www.hi.is/~haukurth/norse/
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