Research master thesis | Linguistics (research) (MA)
open access
The verbal system of Old Irish is characterized by the existence of two sets of verbal endings, which are used in complementary distribution in a number of moods and tenses inherited from Proto...Show moreThe verbal system of Old Irish is characterized by the existence of two sets of verbal endings, which are used in complementary distribution in a number of moods and tenses inherited from Proto-Indo-European. The distinction between these so-called absolute and conjunct endings is found only in the Celtic branch of Proto-Indo-European, most notably in Old Irish. The PIE origins of the two sets of endings continues to be obscure, although many ideas have been published over the years. The goal of this thesis is to determine which of these scenarios best explains the creation of two sets of verbal endings, through a critical assessment of the most important literature written on this problem in the last century and a half.Show less
