The Change of Latin Language to a Common Language
Historical Foundations: 1
Running head: Historical Foundations
HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS – LATIN AMERICA
By SHANNON ROSS
Historical Foundations: 2
Running head: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS
Abstract
The Latin language went through many changes during the 10th – 14th centuries. Many changes were attempted and failed in the pursuit of one common language that could be read, written and understood by all. Latin was all but forgotten by the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 14th centuries.
Historical Foundations: 3
Running head: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS Up until the twelfth century, Latin was the language used primarily by the well-educated and the upper class, especially when it came to literature. Latin had a huge impact on the medieval ways, and became the prominent language when the Roman Empire rose and dominated the western world. When the empire began to fall, the Latin language began to fade and eventually, the people began to resort back to their ethical tongue and began to use their vernacular or original languages again instead of Latin. (Sayre)
During the height of the Roman Empire, some writers began to want to reach a broader audience to show off and share their work with the more common people and they began to use the language of the streets, or the “people” also known as the vulgar tongue or the vernacular of the people.
The French began this trend and throughout the twelfth and into the thirteenth centuries it was primarily used by the French. By the late thirteenth and into the fourteenth century, the vernacular works began to appear throughout Italy in its original vernacular, and from there spread throughout Europe. There were many different dialects in each country, however in Italy; the basis of the common written language became the “Tuscan” dialect, which was the primary dialect used in Florence. (Bukisa)
In England, the people returned to old English which had been greatly influenced by Alfred the
Running head: Historical Foundations
HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS – LATIN AMERICA
By SHANNON ROSS
Historical Foundations: 2
Running head: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS
Abstract
The Latin language went through many changes during the 10th – 14th centuries. Many changes were attempted and failed in the pursuit of one common language that could be read, written and understood by all. Latin was all but forgotten by the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 14th centuries.
Historical Foundations: 3
Running head: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS Up until the twelfth century, Latin was the language used primarily by the well-educated and the upper class, especially when it came to literature. Latin had a huge impact on the medieval ways, and became the prominent language when the Roman Empire rose and dominated the western world. When the empire began to fall, the Latin language began to fade and eventually, the people began to resort back to their ethical tongue and began to use their vernacular or original languages again instead of Latin. (Sayre)
During the height of the Roman Empire, some writers began to want to reach a broader audience to show off and share their work with the more common people and they began to use the language of the streets, or the “people” also known as the vulgar tongue or the vernacular of the people.
The French began this trend and throughout the twelfth and into the thirteenth centuries it was primarily used by the French. By the late thirteenth and into the fourteenth century, the vernacular works began to appear throughout Italy in its original vernacular, and from there spread throughout Europe. There were many different dialects in each country, however in Italy; the basis of the common written language became the “Tuscan” dialect, which was the primary dialect used in Florence. (Bukisa)
In England, the people returned to old English which had been greatly influenced by Alfred the
References: (Discovering the Humanities) Sayre (chapters 4, 5 and 6) e-Textbook. Muse found at https://class.aiuniv.edu/_layouts/Asset.aspx?MID=MU13685&aid=AT68584 http://www.bukisa.com/articles/490407until-the-twelfth-century