What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore the unique genitive plural endings in Gothic, particularly the significance of the endings -ē and -ō.

April 24, 2026

The Gothic Genitive Plural in - e

Key Points

The study aims to explore the unique genitive plural endings in Gothic, particularly the significance of the endings -ē and -ō.
Comparison of Gothic genitive plural endings with those from other Germanic languages
Analysis of masculine, neuter, and feminine forms in Gothic and their Proto-Germanic origins
Gothic demonstrates two unique genitive plural endings: -ē for masculines and neuters, and -ē or -ō for feminines.
This duality contrasts with other Germanic languages that utilize only one ending each.
The presence of -ē in Gothic is found to be unique within both Germanic and Indo-European languages.

Abstract

In contrast to the other Germanic languages, Gothic has two endings in the genitive plural: all masculines and neuters have - ē (e.g. dagē, waúrdē, gastē, suniwē, attanē, haírtanē, brōprē ); of the feminines, some have - ē , some - ō (e.g. qēnē, mahtē, handiwē, baúrgē , but þiudō, tuggōnō, manageinō ). The other Germanic languages have only one ending each: OHG OS - o (e.g. tago, dago ), OIcel. OE - a ( daga ). This ending agrees with Gothic - ō , from Proto-Germanic - õ ( n ). The Gothic ending - ē is unique not only in Germanic but in Indo-European.

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