Runstenarna i Kronobergs län
en studie i språk och utförande
AbstractThe aim of this study is to describe similarities and differences in the inscriptions of runestones intoday's county of Kronoberg, the former county of Värend and, in addition, a part of the formercounty of Sunnerbo. The study is based on 27 remaining runestones which are analysed throughchoice of words and runes, orthography and decorations.The section of choice of words and runes are categorised and based on the choice of choosingone particular word over another and of choosing one particular rune over another. Orthography isbased on the spelling of five particular words; efter, sten, reste, hjälpe and och. Monophtongisationis discussed and analysed. The section of decorations has two subsections; 1) crucifixes and?suns?, and 2) other forms of decoration.The study showed that the runestones had some significant numbers of similarities anddifferences. The study also showed that the option of choosing one word, or rune, over another wasprobably a conscious choice made by the runic inscriber himself. The spelling of the five wordsrevealed a limited number of spelling choices, and that monophtongisation had occurred in somewords. The majority of the runestones had some form of decoration, usually a crucifix, which werecategorised. However, attribution could only be made in a few cases, due to the limited amount ofcriteria used.Keywords: crucifixes, decorations, Kronoberg, monophtongisation, runes, runestones, Sunnerbo,Värend