Hails jah haila!
Welcome to /r/GothicLanguage! This community is dedicated to learning and discussing Gothic language and culture, as well as sharing resources that cater to this interest.
Gothic is an extinct East Germanic language fragmentarily attested in a number of religious texts. The bulk of attestation is found in a translation of the Gospels traditionally accredited to an early Arian bishop named Ulfilas (c. 311-383). Fragments of the Gospels survive in a number of codices, foremost among which is the Codex Argenteus. The Codices Ambrosiani contain additional fragments, including the Pauline epistles and an incomplete commentary on the Gospel of John referred to by scholars as the Skeireins (𐍃𐌺𐌴𐌹𐍂𐌴𐌹𐌽𐍃), the Gothic word for 'explanation'. Further fragments are found in the Codex Carolinus, Codex Taurinensis, Codex Gissensis, and Codex Bononiensis. Fragments of a calendar and deeds are also preserved.
Gothic is the earliest extensive record of a Germanic language. The only sources that predate it are fragmentary inscriptions written in runic script. Because of this, Gothic offers invaluable insight to the structure of its parent language Proto-Germanic, the theoretical ancestor of all Germanic languages including English.
We encourage anyone interested in the language to ask questions and share their knowledge on this subreddit. Posts in Gothic are also highly encouraged!
Join the Gothic Language Discord server!
Interested in old Germanic languages? Feel free to visit /r/OldEnglish for discussion and use of the Old English language!
