| Unit name | Medieval Latin |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGLM0031 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Archibald |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
In this unit we shall be reading and translating a selection of short texts in Medieval Latin. We shall discuss various ways in which Medieval Latin varies from Classical Latin: grammar, spelling, verse forms, vocabulary. We shall also discuss the status of Latin in the Middle Ages, and the range of usage. Who learned Latin and how? Who were Latin texts written by and for? How wide might the readership be? Was Latin used only for serious texts? Did women write Latin texts? At what point did Latin cease to be the language of official documents? We will look at some examples of macaronic texts, which provide interesting evidence for bilingualism. An important aspect of the course will be the influence of Christianity, which was responsible for many significant changes in both language and style; but readings will be taken from a wide range of sources, ecclesiastical and secular, serious and humorous. Each student will give a report on a writer or group of texts in their cultural context.
