Vulgar and Medieval Latin Linguistics

Language

French

Prerequisites

Thorough knowledge of classical Latin (level reached at the end of the Bachelor cycle).

Main themes

In-depth study of the language and texts of late Latin.
The course deals with the following themes:
1. The problem of "vulgar" Latin: definitions, sources,  and principal characteristics from a phonological, morphological, syntactical and lexical point of view.
2. Reading and commenting typical texts;
3. The evolution of the Latin of the late period, especially of the early medieval period: linguistic study of selected documents.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, the student will have acquired the principal characteristics of spoken Latin of the Imperial and early medieval periods. He will be capable of reading and interpreting typical texts of this period.

Content

A systematic study of the principal linguistic modifications of Late Latin: phonology and prosodics, morphology, syntax, lexicology and semantics.
Study of literary texts ( e.g. Petronas, Itinerarium Egeriae, Gregory of Tours)  and documentary texts (e.g. Inscriptions from Pompeii, private letters , and legal documents.

Teaching methods

Lectures with exercises (preparation of texts).

Evaluation methods

Oral exam.

Other information

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Bibliography

- Väänänen, Introduction au latin vulgaire, 3e éd., Paris, 1981.
- Herman, Le latin vulgaire, Paris, 1975.
- Löfstedt, Late Latin, Oslo, 1959.
- Kramer, Vulgärlateinische Alltagsdokumente auf Papyri, Ostraka, Täfelchen und Inschriften, Berlin, 2007.

Faculty or entity

EHAC