Books in the Abhandlungen der Akademie der Wissenschaften Zu Gottingen: Neue Folge series

As part of the Gottingen-based research project "e;Kleinuberlieferung mehrstimmiger Musik vor 1550 in deutschem Sprachraum"e; (Minor Transmission of Polyphonic Music Before 1550 in German-Speaking Areas), the Professor Emeritus for Historical Musicology, Martin Staehelin, has systematically indexed previously unknown late medieval sources from Germany and Switzerland. His extensive analysis of various works, including those from the collections of Basel monasteries, the Kassel University Library and the Herzog August Library in Wolfenbuttel, is prefaced by a chapter that presents the technical terms, research criteria and academic relevance of the theme.

This is the first modern comprehensive account of the syntax of Old Avestan, the earliest known form of Iranian language, attested in the Gathas of Zarathushtra and the Liturgy in Seven Chapters. It is based on the most up-to-date understanding of the texts, while following traditional principles of grammatical analysis. There are also substantial sections on word order, stylistics, and figures of speech. Translations are provided for almost all passages quoted. The work will be welcomed by Iranianists as well as by historical linguists with wider Indo-European interests.