A Gothic Grammar, with selections for reading and a glossary

by Wilhelm Braune

Note. f is regarded as labiodental by Jellinek; Zs. fda., 36, 275 et seq.

§ [53]. (a) Initial f occurs often in Gothic words; e. g., fôtus, foot; fadar, father; flôdus, flud; faíhu (catl), muney; fûls, foul; frôþs, wise, judicious; frius, cold; fidwôr, 4.

(b) Medially and finally f occurs in but a small number of Gothic words; as, hlifan, to steal; hafjan, to heav; hiufan, to lament; lôfa, m., palm of the hand; ufar, over; afar, after. Before consonants: luftus, air; hamfs, maimd; tweifls, dout; wulfs, wolf; —(final) fimf, five; hôf (prt. of hafjan); þarf, I need (inf. þaúrban).

Note 1. Finally and before the s of the nom., f occurs very often for medial b; s. [§ 56].

Note 2. Medial f before t (n) stands for b ([§ 56], n. 4), before t also for p ([§ 51], n. 2).

Note 3. ff is not found.

b

§ [54]. b corresponds to Gr. β, for which it stands in foren words; e. g., barbarus, βάρβαρος; Iakôb, Ἰακώβ. The pronunciation of the Gr. β was that of a labial soft spirant [nearly = E. v]. In like manner Goth. b has the value of a soft (voiced) labiolabial spirant medially after vowels, while initially and medially after consonants it denotes a soft stop (= E. b).

Note 1. Gothic b between vowels in Latin foren words stands for Lt. v, but after m for b: Silbanus, Silvanus; Naúbaímbaír, November; (ana)kumbjan, cumbere.