Abrogans

Abrogans is the first known book written in Old High German. A Latin-Old High German dictionary, it is believed to have been compiled at the Reichenau Abbey around 765-775 AD. The text is primarily a glossary providing Old High German equivalents for Latin words.

The name "Abrogans" is derived from the first word listed in the Latin section of the dictionary: abrogans, meaning "humble." The work is a valuable source for understanding the vocabulary and grammar of Old High German during this period, offering insights into the language's early development.

The Abrogans is not a perfect one-to-one translation; it often gives multiple Old High German words for a single Latin term. This variety provides researchers with a richer understanding of the nuances of Old High German and its relationship to Latin.

The manuscript itself is incomplete, and the original compiler remains unknown. However, its importance to the study of Germanic linguistics and early medieval textual history is undisputed. It represents a crucial link in tracing the evolution of the German language from its proto-Germanic roots. Surviving versions of the text are carefully studied and preserved by scholars.