SAGA-BOOK - Viking Society Web Publications

Saga-Book of the Viking Society
homogeneous in its genre and subjects, the ratios of
reverse word order range from 1'3 per cent (Sturlu pattr)
to 59 per cent (Porgils saga ok Hafliaa). An average in
saga literature seems to be about 30 per cent. Figures on
that level, let us say between 20 and 40 per cent, make a
"normal" impression. On the other hand, such extremes
as figures below 10 per cent or above 50 per cent
undoubtedly reveal special habits or preferences of the
authors. It should be added that this "word order ratio"
usually remains fairly constant (within wide limits, of
course) throughout one and the same text. Such a
constancy indicates that we have to do with an individual
writing habit. But certainly other factors, such as the
genre (Icelanders' sagas, Kings' sagas, Bishops' sagas,
etc.), also play their part and complicate the picture. The
language of a text within a certain genre has to be
considered in relation to the general linguistic pattern of
that genre.
As for Bergr Sokkason, his authentic Nikolaus saga
(Nik) has a very high share of reverse word order, 60 per
cent; also Mikaels saga (Mik) comes close to that
proportion: 57 per cent." Among the works which I have
supposed to be "Bergr-texts" are two voluminous
Bishops' sagas: late versions of Tomas saga erkibiskups
(Tomas) and Guomundor saga Arasonar (Guam), with 36
per cent and 51 per cent respectively."
Dunstanus saga (Dunst) fits well into this pattern with
its very high proportion of reverse word order: 70 per
cent (35 cases against IS of normal word order). Just
a single example may be cited: Gegg at honum einn ungur
madr. j hinum biartazta bunade (p. 3).
7 Michaels saga and Nikolaus saga erkibyskups II are printed in C. R. Unger,
Heilagra ma.nna sogu» (1877), I 676-713, and II 49-158, respectively. Mik has
c. 15,600 words, Nik c. 45,000. For the application of my tests to these sagas,
d. Stilsignalement, 129-37.
8 I have used C. R. Unger, Thomas saga erkibyskups (1869), and Guflmundar
biskups saga in Biskupa sogur II (1878). In both cases I have applied my tests
to the first 60,000 words, which is about 80 per cent of T6mas and 90 per cent
of GUI'm. Other "Bergr-texts" have been left aside here, except a version of
]6ns saga helga which is of importance for my discussion ill this paper.