2. Pre-1250 (11th–12th centuries)
This is not currently part of the peer-reviewed material of the project. Do not cite as a research publication.
a. Phonology
i. Vowels in stressed syllables
• sær : sjór. æ¯ (w) > io¯. Ex. mær: mjór. etc. Date: ca. 1150. Then analogical spread throughout paradigm. Note: use forms like sær (not sjór) in the earliest poetry.
• nôtt : nótt. ô > ó when nasalized. Ex. Óláfr; nótt. Cf. rhyme nótt : ótta (Anon. Hedeby, ca. 1050).
— Hiatus:
• gráar : grár. Ex. Háar : Hár; bláar : blár. Non-contracted forms found at least as late as 1200 (but Snorri contracts) – evidence of contraction as early as end of 10th century (Vellekla). Suggestion: use noncontracted forms prior to 1200 when required by metre.
ii. Consonants
— Shortening:
• kenndi : kendi. All geminates (except ll, mm, nn, rr | –l, m, n, r; and gg, kk | –j, w) shortened in the environment –C. Ex. renndu > rendu, etc. Date: before 1200. Note: retain geminates in past tenses of weak verbs in the earliest poetry prior to 1200 (kenndusk, etc.).