Page:An Etymological Dictionary of the Norn Language in Shetland Part I.pdf/14

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
VI
PREFACE
VI

ticular his sister who writes this) have been singularly fortunate in obtaining the generous assistance of Professor W. A. Craigie, now of the University of Chicago. Not only has he gone through and arranged the matter for the Introduction, but he has further been good enough to revise the final proof-sheets of the Dictionary itself. To him heartfelt thanks are due. Sincere thanks are likewise due to Mr. George Watson of the Oxford English Dictionary, and author of the Roxburghshire Word-book, who has greatly assisted by devoting his valuable time to revising the first proofs. Further, warmest thanks are tendered to Dr. Hugh Marwick, Kirkwall, without whose kind encouragement the work of translation might never have been attempted, and who has smoothed the path over various difficulties. As a native of Orkney he was able to assist with various troublesome Shetland technical terms, and he helped also in revising the translation of the Norn fragments. Dr. Jakobsen’s friend, the late Shetland author, Mr. J. J. Haldane Burgess, kindly translated parts I, II and III of the Introduction, and also revised a portion of Part I of the Dictionary. Mr. William Ratter, Lerwick, who takes a keen interest in the Shetland Norn, has always been ready with assistance, which is here gratefully acknowledged. Great indebtedness is also felt to Dr. Amund B. Larsen, Oslo, and to Professor Magnus Olson of the University of Oslo, for their aid in revising the Word-lists in the Introduction. Further, special thanks are due to Professor Finnur Jónsson of the University of Copenhagen, whose friendly interest has been evident in the readiness with which he has responded to every inquiry, and whose concluding words from his Postscript to the Danish edition may here be quoted: “No one will underestimate the contribution which Dr. Jakobsen by his excellent work has made to Scandinavian, and in particular to Norse, philological research, carried out as it was with never-flagging energy, keen penetration, and delicacy of judgement. It will preserve his name for all time in the annals of Scandinavian philology”.

Copenhagen, August, 1927.

Anna Horsböl, née Jakobsen.