Íslenzk tunga - 01.01.1961, Blaðsíða 116
112
HREINN BENEDIKTSSON
from the functional point of view, Icelandic is even more of a unity
than from the purely phonetic point of view.
XII
We have seen that one of the salient features of Icelandic dialecto-
logy is the application of the method of statistical calculation. This
method is prominent especially in Guðfinnsson’s work, but it is also
found both earlier and later. Such calculations are comparatively
rare in traditional European dialectology. As stated above (p. 79),
the difference in methodology between Icelandic dialectology and
the traditional approach is, to some extent at least, probably due to
the lack of first-hand acquaintance with this approach. But to a con-
siderable extent, I think, it is motivated by the nature of the research
object itself, the linguistic situation in Iceland, as outlined in the
preceding exposition. It is characteristic that, in the investigation of
contemporary standard French pronunciation undertaken by Mar-
tinet during the war, we find much the same procedure applied.103
Indeed, we may conclude by saying that although, as regards their
origin, the existing differences are parallel to dialect differences in
other language areas—they are due to changes which have not spread
over the whole territory—the present situation, nevertheless, in many
ways, is rather comparable to the variations we find in the modern
European standard languages. Accordingly, the methods character-
istic of Icelandic dialectology, especially Guðfinnsson’s, with their
weaknesses, outlined above (pp. 79—82), are due to the double goal
part. neut.) fmailth] vs. mœld ‘measured’ (past part. fem.) rmail<^(h)] or hollt
‘wholesome’ (neut.) lhoJ<J(h)] vs. holt ‘hollow’ (neut.) Iholt1'] vs. hold ‘flesh’
Ihol<^(h)], where, in other varieties, we have a two-way contrast only (mœlt
rmaij^(h)] vs. mceld [mail^OO], hollt, holt IhoJ^(h)] vs. hold [hol^OO]). How
widespread this feature is has not been examined.
103 A. Martinet, La prononciation du frangais contemporain; témoignages
recueillis en 1941 dans un camp d’ojficiers prisonniers (Société de publications
romanes et fran$aises XXIII; Paris 1945).