Mag. Helmut W. Klug
I have recently finished my studies of German and English at the Karl-Franzens-University of Graz with distinction. My recent years of research have been dedicated to German mediaeval studies. In my diploma thesis I have analysed the use of herbs in German poetic texts of the High Middle Ages. It was published in 2005: Kräuter in der deutschsprachigen Dichtung des Hochmittelalters: Vorkommen, Anwendung und Wirkung in ausgewählten Texten. Currently I am working on my PhD thesis which is about plants in the Middle Ages. The working title is: “Pflanzen in der deutschsprachigen Literatur des Mittelalters: Eine datenbankgestützte Bestandsaufnahme mit Analysen literatur-, sprach- und kulturwissenschaftlicher Zusammenhänge.” (Plants in German Literature of the Middle Ages: A Data-base Supported Stocktaking with an Analysis of Literary, Linguistic and Cultural Contexts.)
The upcoming project not only will broaden my existing background knowledge on mediaeval plant lore and plant-names but it will also provide me with additional data and information which I can use for my current studies. My optional subject within the compulsory curriculum is historical linguistics and therefore extensive work with the Old English language (as the intended project will provide) is best suited for my purpose.