History of French Language

A.Y. 2023/2024
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-LIN/04
Language
French
Learning objectives
The course aims to:
- enable students to acquire a basic knowledge of the historical evolution of the French language in its key stages;
- introduce students to the use of basic tools for linguistic and philological study of texts in Ancient and Middle French;
- raise awareness of the peculiarities linked to handwritten and printed transmission of medieval works.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: to know the key stages of the historical evolution of French.
Skills: to be able to read and understand the original texts presented in class and to comment on linguistic aspects, as well as their cultural value.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course, entitled "Fables du Moyen Âge français: un patrimoine à découvrir", is aimed at students of the Master's degree; it includes three parts and it is held in the first semester.
- A (20 hours, 3 ECTS): "Fables françaises du Moyen Âge - ancien français"
- B (20 hours, 3 ECTS): "Fables françaises du Moyen Âge - moyen français"
- C (20 hours, 3 ECTS): "Fables françaises du Moyen Âge - français de la Renaissance"
Students interested in acquiring 6 ECTS will adhere to the program of parts A + B or A + C; students interested in acquiring 9 ECTS will follow the full program.
Part A constitutes an introduction to the Old French, and to the first collections of fairy tales, through some representative texts and authors, including Marie de France.
Part B will focus on texts in Middle-French, in particular on the Dialogue des creatures and on Julien Macho's Esope.
Part C will concern two authors of fables of the early 16th century, Pierre Sala and Gilles Corrozet.
The course programme is valid until February 2025.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held in French, as well as examination materials and bibliography presuppose a solid language proficiency in French.
Teaching methods
The schedule of lessons, their modalities and any updates will be published in the website Ariel.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website Ariel, which can be consulted for information and teaching materials.
Bibliography (all the texts, EXCEPT "Fables françaises du Moyen Âge", will be made available on Ariel)
Part A
Jacques Chaurand, «Préhistoire, protohistoire et formation de l'ancien français», in Jacques Chaurand (dir.), Nouvelle histoire de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 1999, p. 26-86

Fables françaises du moyen âge (Edition bilingue). Traduction, présentation et notes de Jeanne-Marie Boivin et Laurence Harf-Lancner, Paris, GF, 1996, « Introduction », p. 11-40 + ("fables" read during the course)

Part B
Serge Lusignan, « Langue française et société du XIIIe au XVe siècle », in Jacques Chaurand (dir.), Nouvelle histoire de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 1999, p. 93-138

"Dialogue des créatures": Colard Mansion's translation: éd. Pierre Ruelle, Bruxelles, 1985 ; anonymous translation: ed. in progress by Maria Colombo ("fables" read during the course)

"L'Esope" de Julien Macho, publié par Pierre Ruelle, Paris, SATF, 1982 ("fables" read during the course)

Nora Viet, « Une morale pour plaire ? Docere et delectare dans les recueils de récits brefs de la première Renaissance (1485-1521) », Paroles dégelées. Propos de l'Atelier XVIe siècle, Paris, Classiques Garnier, 2016, p. 713-732

Part C
Geneviève Clerico, «Le français au XVIe siècle», in Jacques Chaurand (dir.), Nouvelle histoire de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 1999, p. 147-217

Pierre Sala, Fables en quatrains: Yves Giraud, « Un album de fables au temps de François Ier », in Le Fablier, 13, 2001, p. 69-78 ("fables" read during the course)

Gilles Corrozet, Second livre des fables d'Esope, éd. Paola Cifarelli, Genève - Paris, Slatkine, 1992 ("fables" read during the course)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will take place in oral form. It will consist of an individual assessment, which includes questions about the contents of the course, reading, translation, linguistic, stylistic and literary commentary of one or more passages from the texts in the program. The assessment will be held in French for students of the Master's Degree in languages, in Italian or in French for students of the other Master's Degree Courses.
Non-attending students, international students or incoming Erasmus students will have to contact the lecturer to agree on the exam program.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the lecturer, in agreement with the relevant office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9,30-10,30, by appointment
Platforms: Skype, Zoom, Times.