Latin Historical Linguistics

The subject consists of two main parts: (a) specific topics to be explored through texts and (b) the general history of the Latin language, with special reference to the development of the literary language.

There are five text-based topics (and you will have to answer questions on two of these in the finals paper): (i) Oscan and Umbrian, which will offer an introduction to two languages of ancient Italy, quite distinct from Latin though related to it, that are known from inscriptions; (ii) Archaic Latin, which will deal with some of the earliest records of Latin, mainly inscriptions; (iii) the language of Plautus, which will involve looking in detail at various characteristic elements (archaic, colloquial, poetic, etc.); (iv) Imperial Latin, which will examine the language of mainly sub-literary and non-literary texts (including papyri) from the first century A.D. onwards; (v) Late Latin, which will offer a brief survey of developments shown in texts from the late fifth century A.D. onwards.

The general history of Latin will cover topics such as the Indo-European origins of Latin, other languages of ancient Italy, the spread of Latin within Italy and beyond, the influence of Greek, the emergence of a poetic language of literary prose, 'vulgar' Latin, post-classical developments, the rise of the romance languages, etc.

Each of the text-based topics will be taught in six two-hour classes; there will be eight lectures on the history of Latin.

Preliminary reading: L. R. Palmer, The Latin Language (London 19613); A. Meillet, Esquisse d'une historie de la langue latine (Paris 19526)