What’s the Point? Syntax, Meter and Punctuation in the Old Saxon ›Hêliand‹

Abstract

Abstract This study examines the use of punctuation in the two main manuscripts of the Old Saxon ›Hêliand‹. Data are presented on the use of punctūs in MS M and MS C and the occurrence of such elevated points to mark syntactic and metrical boundaries. As a point of departure, I challenge a claim by Sievers (1878) who stated that punctuation in the ›Hêliand‹ is completely arbitrary. Contrary to Sievers, I suggest that pointing in the two manuscripts is relatively systematic as a means to indicate syntactic and metrical boundaries and that each manuscript exhibits its own unique pattern. This evidence sheds light on the issue of how the manuscripts were used at the time that they were transcribed.