May 26, 2003

READING THE EDDA.

Renee is doing a series of entries on the Old Norse heroic poem Völundarkvíða (Völundarkvitha, if you can't see the long i and edh; it means 'lay of Völundr'). She gives what she calls a multimedia presentation:

There will be 16 parts. Each part will include a cutout panel illustration, a portion of text and my translation. It will also have an mp3 file with my reading in Old Norse - it is not really dramatic, I am afraid... I have tried to keep close to what I perceive as Old Norse pronunciation; my interpretation may be quite off the mark, so I'd be happy to discuss this.
Here are Part One (Intro and stanzas 1-3) and Part Two (4-5); enjoy, and keep following the series!

Posted by languagehat at May 26, 2003 07:02 PM
Comments

Languagehat, have you read John Irving's "The Water Method Man"? The main character is doing his thesis translating (and mostly making up) an 'Old Low Norse' poem. It's a very funny novel.

Posted by: Gianna at May 29, 2003 02:50 AM

No, I haven't, and now I want to -- thanks!

Posted by: language hat at May 29, 2003 10:34 AM