The Distribution of 3. pl. pres. ind. -(h)yn(t) and the Dating of Welsh Prophetic Poetry

Abstract

This article gathers together the evidence for the third-person plural present indicative verbal ending -(h)yn(t) and attempts to trace the history of its usage. The ending is attested primarily in prophetic poetry, though relevant forms are also found in Old Welsh and elsewhere in the Hengerdd. It appears that the ending fell out of general use between the tenth and twelfth century. It lingered a little longer in prophetic poetry, with the latest dateable examples found in a stanza composed shortly after 1211/12. It is suggested that the ending was adopted as a marker of prophetic poetry because it had already developed a specific association with future-time reference.