00381 - Romance Philology (A-L)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course the student has the knowledge of the Romance literatures (especially of the Middle Ages) and the Romance languages (from the origins to the present day) learned in a comparative perspective. The student also acquires notions about the position of Italian among the Romance languages and their expansion in Europe and worldwide, as well as textual philology issues, including the literary communication and semiotics. He also develops the ability to make use of the tools of the discipline (dictionaries, grammars, databases, etc.), to read the sources (through ancient manuscripts and critical editions) and to apply them to the analysis of texts.

Course contents

The course is organized into two sections:

(1) Introduction to Romance Linguistics

Subject of this Section is the origin and development of the Romance languages with especial consideration of Italian and Gallo-Roman (French and Provencal) studied from a historical and comparative point of view. Topics: vulgar Latin; origin and classification of the Romance languages; standard language and dialects; the so-called "Romania nova"; the main features of the Romances languages: phonology; morphology; syntax; vocabulary.

   A previous knowledge of Romance languages other than Italian is not required. Knowledge of basic Latin is commended.

(2) Reading and commentary of some significant texts of the medieval Romance narrative

The texts, belonging to different linguistic areas other than Italian and to different literary genres (hagiography, epic, novel), will be presented in their historical context, with especial consideration of their significance for the making of the modern European literature. The texts will be read in Italian translation; some of them also in the original version that students will analyse from a philological and linguistic point of view. During the course students will receive the basic notions concerning the old French prosody.

Students coming from abroad can agree upon another syllabus with the teacher.

Readings/Bibliography

(1) Introduction to Romance Linguistics

P. Gresti, Introduzione alla linguistica romanza, Bologna, Pàtron, 2016.

(2) Reading and commentary of some significant texts of the medieval Romance narrative

1. P. Gresti, Antologia delle letterature romanze del Medioevo, second edition, Bologna, Pàtron, 2011, Section A (Agiografia), B (Epica), D (Romanzo). The texts are to be read in their Italian version, together with the introductions and commentaries (with the exception of the linguistic annotation). The following texts are to be read in the original version and commented upon also from a philological and linguistic point of view: Section A, n. 1 (students will choise 50 lines); Section B, n. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

2. As concerns the literary and historical frame: A. Limentani - M. Infurna, L'epica romanza nel Medioevo, Bologna, il Mulino, 2012 ("Itinerari. Filologia e critica letteraria").

3. Au. Roncaglia, La lingua d'oil. Profilo di grammatica storica del francese antico, Roma, Edizioni dell'Ateneo, 1971 (repr. Pisa-Roma, Fabrizio Serra Editore, 2005): the study of this handbook will be oriented to the translation and linguistic analysis of the French texts, with especial consideration of phonetics and morphology.

Supplementary bibliography for students who will not attend the course:

F. Brugnolo - R. Capelli, Profilo delle letterature romanze medievali, Roma, Carocci, 2011, chapters 1-1.6, 1.11, 2.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.5.

Teaching methods

Readings and commentaries in class introduced with a historical and linguistic outline.

Assessment methods

Final oral examination concerning the whole course contents, according to the above-given indications. In particular, students are required to show a good ability of independent and critical study, establishing parallels and differences between the texts and illustrating their historical and literary background. Good language skills and knowledge of technical terminonolgy are also required.

Teaching tools

Traditional tools: books, xerocopies, possibly texts and articles attached to Guide web.

Office hours

See the website of Luciano Formisano