"Wundorlice hit hæleþ": Organization and Metatextual Markers in Old English Recipes

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the ways structural components and metatextual markers contribute to the organization of Old English medicinal texts. Through quantitative linguistic analysis of the Læceboc, Lacnunga, Herbarium, and Medicina de Quadrupedibus, the study shows that Old English medicinal recipes follow a defined structure: heading (consisting of a starting word and an ailment listing), ingredient list, preparation, administration, and efficacy statement. This structure bears marked similarities to the organizational strategies scholars have advanced for Middle English recipes. However, this analysis shows that Old English recipes do not possess any obligatory components. Instead, all components are optional, though some, such as administration, display less optionality than others, such as the ingredient list and the efficacy statement. The overall similarities in structure suggest a continuing textual tradition between Old English and Middle English recipes. In addition to component-based organization, these medicinal texts were found to contain metatextual markers, or words and phrases that appear to serve an organizational function within the texts yet fail to meet the definition of formal discourse markers. Though wiþ, genim and nim, and generic efficacy statements serve metatextual functions and demonstrate many of Brinton's features of discourse markers, none of these elements can be categorized as discourse markers.