Aldfryske wei-oantsjuttings. In ûndersyk nei it Aldfryske wurdfjild 'ferkearsferbinings oer lân'

Abstract

Studies on lexical fields are rare in Old Frisian philology. However, as preparatory studies for a comprehensive Old Frisian dictionary, they are most useful. In this article, an attempt is made to diachronically-semantically analyze and define the eleven words used in Old Frisian to indicate types of roads. These words are in alphabetical order: dîk, drift(e), fe­re, låne, menninge, path, rêd, sīdwendene, stīge, strête and wei. In addition, the theory of Trier, which states that within a lexical field semantical changes affect some or even all members of that field, is applied to Old Frisian road indications. As will be shown, this notion is indeed applicable to the lexical field discussed, as in the course of time some words (for example dîk, strête) shift semantically, an older word has disappeared (fe­re) and new ones have risen (rêd, menninge, stīge).