The Author: Irmengard Rauch is Professor of Germanic Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. She is author of The Old High German Diphthongization: A Description of a Phonemic Change, and of numerous articles and chapters in professional journals and scholarly books. Dr. Rauch is co-editor of several collections of linguistics and semiotics research and is general editor of two Lang series, Berkeley Insights in Linguistics and Semiotics and Berkeley Models of Grammars. She is the founder of the Semiotic Circle of California, the Berkeley/Michigan Germanic Linguistics Roundtable, and the San Francisco Bay Area German Linguistic Fieldwork Project.

«Up to now students of Old Saxon have been compelled to resort to rather obsolete grammars or works that could hardly be described as pedagogically adequate. The first rate study of the language that Professor Irmengard Rauch is offering us combines all the qualities one would expect from a carefully elaborated scientifically impeccable introduction to all the aspects of the Old Saxon linguistic and literary heritage. It is hard to decide what deserves most praise in this truly excellent work: the outstanding methodology, the perceptive linguistic comments or the fine presentation of materials.» (Edgar C. Polomé, University of Texas at Austin)«In this consummately wrought chrestomathy, Rauch blends her unrivalled linguistic expertise with plentiful pedagogical sophistication. Hers is easily the best introduction to Old Saxon, a remote, if fascinating relative of modern English.» (Thomas A. Sebok, Indiana University)«Old Saxon grammar used not to be like this. Here the historical perspective is used more as an aid to synchronic understanding through concepts like discourse analysis, valency, phrase structure and interference. A challenging approach for beginners and old hands alike.» (Richard d'Alquen, University of Alberta)«...what the author presents is a very readable outstanding survey of an Old Germanic dialect, taking the latest developments in linguistic theory into consideration. Such an effort deserves high praise¿» (The Journal of Indo-European Studies)«Her work is an excellent tool to teach Old Saxon.» (Colette van Kerckvoorde, Germanic Notes and Reviews)

• Contents: Early Cognitive Decisions; Verb Fundamental Identifying Form; Diachronic Synchrony; Linear Syntax; Pragmatic Strategies; Verb and Noun Inflection; Propositional Meaning/Valence; Graphemics; Articulatory/Acoustic Features; Suprasegmentals; Alliterative Verse; Syllable Heliand and Genesis Manuscripts; Old Saxon Speech Area; Interference; Old Saxon Phonemes Nonlinear Syntax; Derivation/Compounding; Latin Prefaces; Selected Old Saxon, Old High German, Old English Readings and Glossaries; Glossary of Technical Terms.