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Riddling Meaning from Old English - haga Compounds

Riddling Meaning from Old English - haga Compounds Abstract: Although the Anglo-Saxon compound anhaga (appearing in Beowulf, The Wanderer, Andreas, Elene, Phoenix, Maxims II , and Riddle 5 of the Exeter Book ) is often translated as “loner” or “solitary one,” such paraphrases seem to ignore half of the compound ( an : “one” or “lone”) at the expense of the other ( haga : “hedge” or “haw”). A survey of various -haga compounds ( gemærhaga, swinhaga, turfhaga, wighaga, cumbolhaga, bordhaga , and færhaga ) underscores the importance of both elements and suggests that modern translators place more emphasis upon the “hedge” half of anhaga as well. Since haga may describe the Anglo-Saxon shield-wall formation composed of individual shield-bearers arranged in a tight formation akin to that of a horticultural hedgerow, we suggest a translation of anhaga as “lone hedge warrior” or “solitary shield-bearer,” a designation akin to those of shield-bearing Greek hoplites (named for their unit’s defining defensive armament, the hoplon ) and American G.I.s (named for their common “general issue” or “government issue” military equipment). Yet unlike these soldiers, to be named anhaga identified the Germanic warrior as a particularly solitary figure, one separated from the wighaga (battle-hedge), and thus a soldier without support: a “lone hedge warrior.” http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Studies in Philology University of North Carolina Press

Riddling Meaning from Old English - haga Compounds

Studies in Philology , Volume 112 (1) – Jan 28, 2015

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Publisher
University of North Carolina Press
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 The University of North Carolina Press.
ISSN
1543-0383
Publisher site
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Abstract

Abstract: Although the Anglo-Saxon compound anhaga (appearing in Beowulf, The Wanderer, Andreas, Elene, Phoenix, Maxims II , and Riddle 5 of the Exeter Book ) is often translated as “loner” or “solitary one,” such paraphrases seem to ignore half of the compound ( an : “one” or “lone”) at the expense of the other ( haga : “hedge” or “haw”). A survey of various -haga compounds ( gemærhaga, swinhaga, turfhaga, wighaga, cumbolhaga, bordhaga , and færhaga ) underscores the importance of both elements and suggests that modern translators place more emphasis upon the “hedge” half of anhaga as well. Since haga may describe the Anglo-Saxon shield-wall formation composed of individual shield-bearers arranged in a tight formation akin to that of a horticultural hedgerow, we suggest a translation of anhaga as “lone hedge warrior” or “solitary shield-bearer,” a designation akin to those of shield-bearing Greek hoplites (named for their unit’s defining defensive armament, the hoplon ) and American G.I.s (named for their common “general issue” or “government issue” military equipment). Yet unlike these soldiers, to be named anhaga identified the Germanic warrior as a particularly solitary figure, one separated from the wighaga (battle-hedge), and thus a soldier without support: a “lone hedge warrior.”

Journal

Studies in PhilologyUniversity of North Carolina Press

Published: Jan 28, 2015

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