Commands and Requests in Old Saxon and Old High German: How People Used Language in the Past
What is it about?
More and more research is being done on how people in the past communicated in English. This helps us understand how language was used in different situations. Some recent studies looked at how people in Old English times gave commands and found that being polite wasn't very important. This study does something similar but focuses on how people in Old Saxon and Old High German gave commands, which hasn't been studied much before. I looked at four different examples and our initial data suggests that, just like in Old English, being polite might not have been a big deal in these languages either.
Why is it important?
This study on commands and requests in Old Saxon and Old High German is important because it sheds light on how people in the past communicated and gave instructions. By exploring these historical language patterns, we can gain a deeper understanding of cultural and linguistic norms in these ancient societies. This research helps us connect with our linguistic heritage and provides valuable insights into the evolution of politeness and communication strategies over time, which can be useful for linguists, historians, and anyone interested in the history of language and human interaction."