Current Trends in West Germanic Etymological Lexicography: Proceedings of the Symposium Held in Amsterdam, 12-13 June 1989

Etymology is that branch of historical linguistics which studies the history and origin of words, usually presenting its results in dictionary shape. The enduring popular demand for etymological dictionaries has demonstrated the social relevance of this branch of linguistics. This volume concerns the etymology of the modern Germanic languages of Western Europe: Dutch, German, English and Frisian. Current Trends in West Germanic Etymological Lexicography reports on recently completed etymological dictionaries or on such projects in progress. The contributors communicate their experiences in tackling the problems they encountered both in their researches and in shaping their findings. As a result, the volume offers a blend of theoretical and practical approaches to etymological lexicography which should make stimulating reading for university courses in etymology, as many of the problems signalled for one language also apply to other ones. Simultaneously, the book offers the specialist the opportunity to keep abreast of the advances made over the past ten years.