Author Description

With the publication in 1892-7 of this two-volume work, Swiss philologist Robert von Planta (1864-1937) cemented his reputation as one of the leading authorities on Indo-European grammar. After studying in his home country and Germany, von Planta made his living as an independent researcher. He was also active in the movement against Italian irredentism and defended in writing the rights of the Swiss-German population. This work is an exhaustive account of the history and development of Osco-Umbrian phonology and syntax, adding to Mommsen's earlier contributions in the field. In Volume 2, von Planta focuses on Italic syntax and gives a detailed description of everything from conjugations to adverbs and pronouns. He also reproduces a great number of inscriptions on stones and plaques that he saw himself during research trips to Sicily and Umbria. An index of Osco-Umbrian words and dialects is also included.