CHAPTER III.
OF THE DIALECTS OF THE SAXON AREA, AND OF THE SO-CALLED, OLD SAXON.
[§ 52]. The area occupied by the Saxons of Germany has been investigated; and it now remains to ask, how far the language of the occupants was absolutely identical throughout, or how far it fell into dialects or sub-dialects. In doing this, it may as well be asked, First, what we expect, à priori; Second, what we really find.
[§ 53]. To the Saxon area in Germany, there are five philological frontiers, the Slavonic, the Frisian, the Batavian, the Frank, and the Thuringian, to which may probably be added the Hessian; in each of which, except the Slavonic, we may expect that the philological phenomenon of intermixture and transition will occur. Thus—
a. The Saxon of Holstein may be expected to approach the Jute and Frisian.
b. That of South Oldenburg and East Friesland, the Frisian and Batavian.
c. That of Westphalia, the Batavian and Frank.
d, e. That of the Hessian and Thuringian frontiers, the Hessian and Thuringian.