The names of the Varangian Guests in the Tale of Bygone Years [Имена варяжских послов в 'Повести Временных Лет]

I discuss linguistic and non-linguistic arguments in the etymologization of the Varangian names in the Old Russian Primary Chronicle (“Tale of Bygone Years”). I argue that the form of the Varangian names reflects the situation of Varangian – Old Russian bilingualism and draw the following conclusions. 1. The names of Varangian ambassadors and their companions listed in the chronicle entries by A.D. 907, 911 and 944 reveal relatively late phonetic processes, most of them characteristic for East Scandinavian dialectal features. 2.  The compiler of the “Tale of Bygone Years” followed the phonetic form of the Varangian names as they could sound in his time. 3. No existing version or redaction of the “Tale of Bygone Years” provides absolutely reliable reading of the names. It is therefore essential to compare all existing spellings and stick to the variants lying most close to the alleged prototypes.  Most reliable variants come from the “Ipatievskaya” redaction and copies following. 4. It is reasonable to assume that the compiler of the “Tale of Bygone Years” was proficient enough in Old Scandinavian. He knew a substantial amount of Varangian names, understood it morphological structure and could tell personal names from nicknames and patronymics. He also had some idea of the syntactic form of the appositive naming complex NAME + NICKNAME as it is reflected in the A.D. 944 treaty. 5. The early Old Russian possessive form on –овъ~ /-инъ, ~ jь had a rather broad meaning and could be both used for producing patronymics and nicknames, and describe the position of X or attitude of X to Y.   6. The list of Varangians under A. D. 944 has an asymmetric structure. Therefore, the number of ambassadors does not coincide with the number of enumerated persons who represent their interests. 7. One should first determine the linguistic correspondences of Old Scandinavian names and their Slavicized reflections in the “Tale of Bygone Years” before drawing historical and philological conclusions, but not vice versa.