Dear Otfried
I am flattered that you often (only two times, but in two days is a lot) ask
for my participation in your discussions about Germanic onomatology. I will
try to give my opinion though Old English is not my specific field of study.
> (assuming that Muncius derives from _munt_)
First of all I would like to know what language Graham is thinking when he
says 'munt'. If it is Old English, then 'munt' means 'mountain' and it is a
loan from Lat. 'montem'. So the palatalization of -t- > -tj- or -ci- would
be very strange.
> I also doubt that "Munt" would normally have been
>latinized as "Muntius", "Muncius" (or where did they get the -i-?).
I think the problem is not really the -i- but the palatalization (absent
also in Latin).
About 'munt' as 'safety, legale protection" I must admit my ignorance and I
hope you will be so kind to tell me what language you are speaking of.
I also agree when you say it is very unlikely anglosaxon speakers know the
etymological meaning of a word or of a name when he used it. Even now, you
thinks about the etymological origin of a noun you use while speaking, only
if you are interested in this kind of things. Bu I don't think common people
in medieval ages had such linguistic sensitivity.
>But I don't know about Middle English or other insular
>vernaculars (in my continental ignorance I don't even know what people at
>Gloucesterhire spoke).
Gloucestershire was a celtic zone before anglosaxon seized it.
I am sorry I can not help you as much as you hoped. Thanks for your kind
remarks about me.
Elena Alcamesi
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