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In:From Carving Runestones to Digitizing Skaldic Poetry: Studies in Germanic philology and historical linguistics
Edited by David Bolter, Erin Noelliste, Christopher D. Sapp and Lane Sorensen
[Studies in Germanic Linguistics 11] 2026
► pp. 330–345

Chapter 19
Adjective inflections in Old Icelandic definite DPs

 | Indiana University
 | University of North Texas
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
This chapter investigates the strong/weak adjective distribution in Old Icelandic definite DPs. While weak adjectives account for the majority of cases in this environment, we identify four patterns with strong adjectives. We propose a structure for each of these patterns. Overall, existing analyses for Modern Icelandic apply straightforwardly to Old Icelandic.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Patterns
    • 2.1Pattern A ([DET] ADJ-wk N[-inn])
    • 2.2Pattern B (ADJ-st N[-inn])
    • 2.3Pattern C (ADJ-st N sá)
    • 2.4Pattern D (DET ADJ-st N)
    • 2.5Pattern E (lexically special cases)
  • 3.A brief excursus: Pfaff (2019)
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Ackowledgements
  • Abbreviations
  • Notes
  • References
References (22)
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