Re: Hrafnkell 274-294

Hinn 25. júní 2004 lét AThompson þetta frá sér fara:

> This is not quite on topic, but I am reading (slowly) the 19th century
> novel "Piltur Og Stúlka" by Jón Thoroddsen, and I am uncertain of the
> translation of the verb "sitja hjá" and corresponding noun "hjáseti"
> which, from the context, seem to have meanings of "watching over
> (sheep)" and "(sheep-watching)" respectively. My Modern Icelandic
> Dictionary translates "sitja hjá" as to "abstain (from voting)" (I can
> see how it gained this sense!) and Zoega's Old Icelandic Dictionary as
> "to be present at" or "to sit idly by." I was wondering if anyone could
> confirm my specific translation of these words (as used in a mid-19th
> century farming context) and tell me whether these meanings still
> persist in modern Icelandic?

This is perfectly on topic as far as I'm concerned.

I think you're basically right here, though my farming
vocabulary isn't good. Maybe Berglaug can help :)

Kveðja,
Haukur