Norbert Wagner (philologist)

Norbert Wagner (born August 27, 1935, in Rehau, Bavaria; died March 19, 2023, in Würzburg) was a German philologist specializing in Indo-European studies, particularly the languages of the Balkans and the Baltic region. He was a professor at the University of Würzburg, where he held the chair of Indo-European Linguistics until his retirement.

Wagner's research focused on the etymology and historical grammar of various languages, including Lithuanian, Latvian, Albanian, and the Slavic languages. He made significant contributions to the understanding of their relationships and the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European. His publications covered a wide range of topics, from the origins of specific words to broader questions of language contact and cultural exchange.

He was known for his meticulous scholarship and critical approach to linguistic data. His work often involved the careful examination of early texts and inscriptions, allowing him to offer new insights into the historical development of the languages he studied. Wagner's research was highly regarded within the field of Indo-European linguistics, and his publications remain important resources for scholars working on these languages.