The series "QUELLEN UND FORSCHUNGEN ZUR LITERATUR- UND KULTURGESCHICHTE" (Sources and Research in the History of Literature and Culture), with a rich tradition stretching back to 1874, is an established feature among the renowned publications for German Literary Studies. Edited by Mark-Georg Dehrmann and Christiane Witthoeft, the series presents examples of high-quality scholarship examining literary texts in conjunction with historical cultural phenomena, particularly with the other arts. There is an explicit demand for literary studies with a transdisciplinary approach. German literature from the Middle Ages to the present day forms the main focus of the series. As the historical cultural thrust of the series includes aspects of intercultural experience and national perceptions of the other, Quellen und Forschungen is also open to occasional comparative studies. The publications of the series include monographs, doctoral and professorial theses. Works presented for acceptance in the series are required to display scholarly relevance and excellence in method and presentation.

The articles in this volume discuss the language-historical aspects of text editions undertaken in the framework of German medieval studies. Throughout, due attention is given to the fact that the linguistic resources elaborated in the 19th century were based on highly manipulated versions, whereas more recently there has been a call for the return to manuscript sources. The papers delivered at the Basel symposium proceed from a consideration of this state of affairs. Neighboring disciplines like Dutch studies and Romance studies are also included.