jeffrey wrote:Its because the Norse refuse to speak a proper language . . . like Japanese.
As perhaps a point of interest, many scholars are of the opinion that the Ragnorok stories are very late, quite possibly appearing only after the Germanic lands are being Christianized (thus around 1000 CE). This type of eschatology (end time theology) seems to become popular in areas that are becoming Christian as an attempt to keep mindshare. The Indo-European after life is, generally speaking, fairly dull and not always all that fun. Essentially whatever you were in life you are in death (no reincarnation, it seems, except for the Hindus, and for them reincarnation isn't a good thing), but forever. So the idea of salvation, of living forever in comfort and bliss, would have been really attractive to the peasant class. In the Germanic stories there is the glorious life under Baldr, the solar deity (or Son god) where the rather unpleasantries of both the Aesir and Joten are in the past.
-j
I agree. Most of the simple points to the mythos were lost during the Christianized Periods. As far as we can tell, most of the stories from many different cultures were lost during this period. ( I.E the book burnings, erasure of all evidence or material not pertaining to what the church deemed acceptable. ) But even in Finnland, and other northern European countries, they still keep to certain "old school" beliefs.
However, with the change of dialects and languages, most of the "old material" is now nothing but paperweights. I can honestly say that walking 50 miles south from my original home, you would hear a totally different dialect.
Even a simple word such as Kirja (book) would be Kustmi.
When even the simplest things are changed so radically from generation to generation, its no wonder the more complex things are lost to us.
But in my thoughts, I believe everything can be regained. It only takes one man with a strong enough will. Nothing is beyond a man or a woman who has strength of will.
And lastly... history has always been written by the victors. Sadly... we weren't it. And by we, I mean me. Damn Norse. lol
