Germanic Philology

See how language shapes and influences literature through Germanic philology.

Learn how language and literature are inextricably linked.

Germanic philology is the comparative and historical study of Germanic languages, modern and ancient and everything in-between. Signum University wants to restore the connection between the study of language and literature that philology once provided.

Why Study Germanic Philology?

According to Dr. Tom Shippey, comparative philology was “one of the breakthrough subjects of the nineteenth century, and for a while had a claim to being the nearest thing the humanities possessed to a hard science.” As a discipline, philology is the study of languages, in particular the relationships between them, as well as their historical development. This is done through the examination and comparison of texts from the earliest times through today.

Germanic philology focuses specifically on the Germanic branch of the Indo-European languages. This includes modern languages such as German, English, Swedish, Dutch, Icelandic, and others, as well as their ancient counterparts such as Anglo-Saxon (i.e., Old English), Old High German, Gothic, Old Norse, and many more. Exploring the connections and common lineages of these languages allows for insights and revelations that otherwise would not be possible.

Philological study also provides a way of looking at literature that has largely fallen out of favor in the modern world. In his 1959 Valedictory Address at Oxford University, J.R.R. Tolkien stated, “The right and natural use of Language includes Literature, just as Literature includes the study of the language of literary works.” Even at that time, more than a half century ago, Tolkien lamented the fact that the study of language and literature had been split into separate disciplines. His own creative work grew out of his love of language, and he believed that literature as a whole also grew out of the language in which it is steeped.

Making Old Connections New Again

Signum University wants all students to recognize the relationship between language and literature. As part of our premier degree program, the M.A. in Language & Literature, this concentration in Germanic Philology offers students an opportunity to revive the study of language and literature together.

M.A. Program Details

For those who are not ready to commit to a full M.A. program, you can also enroll in our Certificate Program or sit in on Germanic Philology courses as an auditor.

The Importance of Germanic Philology

Watch Dr. Michael Drout’s plenary talk on Germanic Philology from Mythmoot IV: Invoking Wonder….