i. Simple

Kennings have two parts (a base-word and determinant) and a referent. A simple kenning is surrounded by curly brackets in the Prose order and Translation, and the referent given in square brackets in the latter. If either the base-word or determinant is a heiti, this and its gloss should also be included in the brackets. Articles and prepositions which translate a grammatical case and/or suffixed article for words in the kenning are also included in the brackets.

Here is a simple genitival relationship between the two parts:

a.       í {flaumi sverða} — (Bragi Rdr 3)

b.      in {the eddy of swords} [BATTLE]

c.       in the eddy of swords [BATTLE]

Compounds should be translated with compounds, if possible:

a.       {valfasti} — (GíslI Erf 16)

b.      {corpse-flame} [SWORD]

c.       corpse-flame [SWORD]

Glosses of heiti should also follow the heiti within the kenning brackets:

a.       {Rôn dýnu} — (Hfr lv 15)

b.      {the Rôn <sea-goddess> of the eiderdown} [WOMAN]

c.       the Rôn <sea-goddess> of the eiderdown [WOMAN]

Any descriptive elements (e.g. adjectives) which belong to (and often clarify the kenning) should also be included in the brackets. The kenning referent, unless a specific person, place or supernatural being (see § ii, below) should be taken from the list of kenning referents (see § C-i below; the most up-to-date version is available on the database). If the referent is missing from the list, let the responsible Volume editor know.

References