Topics in the History of the Italian Language

This course will trace the origins of the Italian language, and provide an overview of the principal phases of its evolution, from the earliest documents and Medieval vernaculars through the codification of the literary standard during the Renaissance. The focus on the literary language will be complemented by the study of the varying relations between Italian and its dialects across time, space, and society, but particularly in regard to contemporary Italy. A look at the vicissitudes of Italian abroad will shed light on language use and structural changes in unstable contexts of contact situations.

Required Texts: Material in electronic form to be available for students upon arrival at Middlebury