Thesis--Heidelberg. / Vita. Bibliography: p. [75]-79.

Applying basic linguistic theory, a grammatical analysis of Gothic verbs formed with the previously underdescribed quasi-prefix (or preverb) miþ- shows that it forms what could be called an atypical type of applicative, though in two cases it seems instead to mark verbal congruence to an adverbial. Of the possible meanings of the etymologically identical preposition miþ, the comitative seems most salient for the quasi-prefix. An introduced core argument in these constructions do not behave like a typicaltransitive object, as it cannot be passivised, and so is likely rather an extension E (or indirect object) to the core. An underlying transitive object O remains as is, and can be passivised. The construction is only used when E pertains to the topic of the discourse, either an overlapping or a new topic. It is never a background comment, as is attested with peripheral arguments. The dative case of the introduced E seems to be semantically motivated, it being thecombination—comparable to a complex case marking—of the preposition and the quasi-prefix with the dative case that signals the comitative meaning. This construction is formally unrestrained, being applied to intransitive, ambitransitive, and transitive verbs, either with or without vowel gradation. In most cases the introduced E has a human referent, but it can also be a concrete object or an abstract. It cannot be inferred from this investigation whether Gothic allowed more than one applicative construction to be applied to the same verb. It would seem there are indications that this construction might have been a relatively new and developing construction in Gothic. In the verbal template, miþ- occupies the outermost position, in itself an indication of late grammaticalization. The one extant exception to this position could indicate an uncertainty of the translator regarding as to which its proper place was. The two instances with both miþ- and a comitative adverbial suggest—unless an artifact of translation—a possible development from peripheral argument to an atypical E-introducing applicative via verbal congruence.

The Gothic people enter European history during the Roman Iron Age. Several groups of Goths come under the power of the Huns while other Gothic groups seek refuge within the borders of the Roman Empire. Groups fleeing across the Danube River defeated Roman troops at the Battle of Adrianople in 378. These Goths will later migrate further and eventually form the Visigothic Kingdom in present-day Spain and France under King Alaric I. In the 5th century, the Goths gained their freedom from the power of the Huns and formed the Ostrogothic Kingdom under King Theodoric the Great in present-day Italy. Finally, the Ostrogothic Kingdom was defeated by the Eastern Roman Empire in the 6th century and the Visigothic Kingdom was conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate in the 8th century. What remains are the Gothic historical texts that claim a Scandinavian origin. Ever since these times, this origin has been debated by historians, archaeologists, and linguists. This essay investigates the support of this Scandinavian origin in four source materials. The ancient textual sources, linguistics, material culture and DNA-studies and then analyze and compare the results. The DNA-studies show that parts of the gothic people had a connection with Scandinavia and parts of them had a genetic diversity. This together with the results of the ancient texts, linguistics and material culture indicate a strong connection between Scandinavia and the gothic people and a probable Scandinavian origin at least amongst the gothic elite.