Working Wonders with Words: Language and Power in the Pre-Modern World between Religion, Magic and Medicine

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Tina Terrahe
• Subject Area: German Medieval Studies (Medieval German Literature) ; Religious Studies and Jewish Studies
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 529626047

The academic network add resses the cultural paradigms underlying word-magical ideas of pre-modern societies with regard to the power of language and writing, at the intersections of religion, medicine and magic. The attribution of power to the word in religious, magical and medical traditions is considerable: Written and spoken words are used in attempts to heal and cast spells. Language is believed to work miracles. Gods are worshipped with uttering words, and power is wielded in spells and writing. Many cultures know rites in which ritualists use words and characters in an attempt to change reality. As some procedures based on word-magic principles, such as in exorcist rituals, have been practiced for thousands of years, the scope of the study ranges from the earliest (written) evidence to the early modern period. We understand the reference to current discourses on coping with crises (the pandemic experience, the ‘Zeitenwende' debated in German politics or the homeopathy discussion) as a central field of activity. To ensure the broadest possible perspective, the object of research is jointly analyzed from the perspective of diverse academic disciplines: With a focus on Old German studies and the study of religions, the range of disciplines includes ancient Egyptology, ancient Oriental studies, Arabic studies, historical studies, Iranian studies, Jewish studies, Celtic studies, classical philology, art history, history of pharmacy and medicine, Sinology and Scandinavian studies. The innovative, temporally and geographically broad focus will lead to the formulation of a concise question: The desire to influence supernatural forces seems to be based on anthropological constants, such as wondering about the future, the safeguarding of health and material goods as well as the longing for love and the fear of death. The aim is to examine how the supernatural efficacy of words, language and writing comes into being according to the sources, and to identify which principles of efficacy are universal and which are particular. Young researchers working in related disciplines will be networked with established researchers in mentoring tandems, and all network researchers will present thematically relevant projects during six workshop meetings. The workshops will explore the materiality and performativity of magical language and writing (Marburg & Basel 2024), the institutionalization in the service of healing and magical principles of efficacy (Leipzig & Hamburg 2025) as well as the terminology and methodology of magic as science (Wolfenbüttel & Greifswald 2026). Outputs will include traditional conference proceedings enhanced by a sustainable digital humanities component presenting collaborative work, an online exhibition and a database on the sources (textual and pictorial testimonia, amulets, oracle bones or other scripture-bearing artefacts).

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks
• Co-Investigator: Privatdozentin Dr. Katja Triplett