WRDA

Plural of region, shore or -worth (Dutch: waard, oord)?

Fragments

(with translations August 22, discussion below):

[005/10] reeve of ... the Linda regions (LINDA.WRDA).

[029/15] born at the Linda regions (LINDA.WRDA)

[066/20] defenders of the land came from all over (UT ALLE WRDA WÉI).

[087/20] reeve over the Linda regions (LINDA WRDA).

[093/25] obscuring our region (VSA WRDA).

[116/05] The woods of the Linda regions (LINDA WRDA)

[140/20] in all regions (WRDA) people will rise

[143/10] My father wrote how the Linda regions (LINDA.WRDA) and the Liudgardens were destroyed. Lindaheim is still lost, the Linda regions (LINDA.WRDA) partially.

[143/20] Therefore, this surrounding yard is now called Liudwerd (LJUD.WÉRD). The steersmen say ‘Liuwrd’ (LJV.WRD), but that is mispronounced.

[145/06] the people of all regions (WRDA)

[151/02] (...) to Mannagarda-waerda (-shores* WRDA). (Mannagardawaerda (WRDA) was spelled ‘Mannagardaforda’ (FORDA) earlier in this book,** but that is wrong. {*should be regions?/ **See page [005] and [112].}

[157/23] Thereupon, they toured along the shores* (WRDA) of Staveren {*should be regions?}

[196/13] that young and old from everywhere (ÛT ALLE WRDUM) came

Discussion

See blogpost (nov.16) fryskednis/2016/wrd-oord-ort-ward-waro-ford.html

On the translation forum (oeralinda.boards/useful-cases-minno), I decided to translate the fragment of 4c. as: "born at the Linda-shores"

and added this note: [029/15] "WRDA (plur.) - Dutch: waard, Old Dutch wertha, Old English waroþ - Old English words for "coast, shore" were strand, waroþ, ofer. Few Indo-European languages have such a single comprehensive word for "land bordering water" (etymonline/shore)"

Proofreader commented (1) on translation: "Do we know where this is, specifically? If not, I’m inclined to put the original in the text for “Linda-shore” and footnote it “Linden-shores” so as to make it easier to locate it based on either the name or its translation."

And (2) on the note: "A “coast” or “coastline” evokes the sight from sea of land stretching out in whatever directions. A “shore” evokes a limited section of coastline, and includes the movement of the tide, perpendicular to the coastline, and usually from the point of view of the land. Both are really only applicable to waters the size of oceans or seas, although “shores” could be used for large rivers, along with “banks” or “beaches” depending on their shape. Any area that is largely influenced by maritime professions might be considered a “seaside” (town, area, house), and as it is the most comprehensive choice, I think it may be closest to the meaning of WRDA, but in the case above, “-shores” is very much in keeping with how people currently denominate a dwelling-place near a promient water feature."

My reply to (1): "It is not clear where exactly it was. The original word Lindawrda would be awkward to pronounce (in the mind) of many readers. I have considered Lindawards, but that might be confusing too. Elsewhere in the texts, Linda-woods is used. I guess it will have to be explained in introduction or good foot-note."

For the published editions of COL thus far, I decided for regions after all, without explaining it in a note.

Bruce: When reading GRÉVETMAN ... OVIR.A LINDA.WRDA, I think of the English word ward: A district into which a city or town is divided for the purpose of administration and elections. Also hospital ward. Yet, in other contexts it can certainly mean shores or other things. E.g. when I first read BÀRN ANDA LINDA.WRDA, I actually (mistakenly) saw WRDA as part of the predicate BÀRN ... WRDA. Fun stuff! To get at least one instance of the English suffix "worth" meaning "area (near a river)", I randomly searched for an invented name: Chelmsworth. I got a hit for Chelsworth, which included this: The Saxons called the area Ceorleswyrthe. Recorded in Domesday as "Cerleswrda". :-)

Jan: Fascinating. I should study that Domesday book someday.

Still not sure what to make of LINDA.WRDA: shores of the Linde, Lindawards, Linde region(s), or...?

Bruce: ...near the River Linda... or you could Anglicize it: Lindasworth (I jest)

Jan: After I mailed you, saying I would use shores, I read your replies again and think your first suggestion Linda-ward may be best. However, WRDA is plural. Would Lindawards, Linda-wards or Linda wards/Wards work? Although (what is left of) the river is now known as Linde/Lende, I prefer the original spelling Linda (because of link to book title).