History of French Language
A.Y. 2026/2027
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.
- 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.
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.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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 "Savoirs secrets des femmes: Médée, Mélusine et les Fileuses", is aimed at Master's degree students; it comprises three parts and takes place in the first semester.
- A (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits): "Old French - Médée the sorceress"
- B (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits): "Middle French - Mélusine the Fairy"
- C (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits): "From Middle French to Renaissance French - les Fileuses: Learned Women or Witches? (Les Évangiles des quenouilles)".
The course will examine the key stages in the evolution of the French language, from its origins to the 16th century. The linguistic, literary and philological issues of medieval French texts will be explored, beginning with a reading of selected works composed between the 12th and 15th centuries, in both verse and prose, which feature female characters possessing magical knowledge, or depict the oral transmission of knowledge consisting of folk beliefs and remedies (Évangiles des quenouilles). The analysis of texts from different periods will enable us to examine the linguistic changes associated with the evolution from Old French to Middle French and on to the early modern period.
Students interested in acquiring 6 cfu will follow the syllabus for parts A and B; students interested in acquiring 9 cfu will follow the full syllabus.
Students who are retaking the exam must agree on the syllabus with the lecturer.
The course programme is valid until February 2028.
The course has a website on the MyAriel online learning platform; please refer to this for all communications; teaching materials used during the lessons will be posted there.
- A (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits): "Old French - Médée the sorceress"
- B (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits): "Middle French - Mélusine the Fairy"
- C (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits): "From Middle French to Renaissance French - les Fileuses: Learned Women or Witches? (Les Évangiles des quenouilles)".
The course will examine the key stages in the evolution of the French language, from its origins to the 16th century. The linguistic, literary and philological issues of medieval French texts will be explored, beginning with a reading of selected works composed between the 12th and 15th centuries, in both verse and prose, which feature female characters possessing magical knowledge, or depict the oral transmission of knowledge consisting of folk beliefs and remedies (Évangiles des quenouilles). The analysis of texts from different periods will enable us to examine the linguistic changes associated with the evolution from Old French to Middle French and on to the early modern period.
Students interested in acquiring 6 cfu will follow the syllabus for parts A and B; students interested in acquiring 9 cfu will follow the full syllabus.
Students who are retaking the exam must agree on the syllabus with the lecturer.
The course programme is valid until February 2028.
The course has a website on the MyAriel online learning platform; please refer to this for all communications; teaching materials used during the lessons will be posted there.
Prerequisites for admission
Lessons will be taught in French. Textbooks and activities in class or for self-study assume that students already have a linguistic competence of level B2.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: face-to-face lessons, seminar moments, in which students are asked to actively participate (the C part).
Teaching Resources
Bibliography for attending students
Textbook
Jacques Chaurand, Histoire de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 1998 or later editions (available in the Library: 12LT. FL.36. 034). Chapters: I-III, pp. 1-64 («Le plus ancien français» ; «L'ancien français, XIIe-XIIIe siècle» ; «Moyen français et français du XVIe siècle»).
Parts A and B
An anthology of texts available on MyAriel at the start of the course (Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Roman de Troie, Jean d'Arras's Mélusine).
A collection of studies edited by the lecturer, available during the course (2 articles of your choice for Part A and 2 for Part B).
Part C
Les Évangiles des quenouilles. Critical edition, introduction and notes by Madeleine Jeay, Paris, Vrin; Montréal, Presses de l'Université de Montréal, 1985 (anthology of passages read during the course available on MyAriel at the start of the lectures).
[Edition with Italian translation: I vangeli delle filatrici, edited by Daniela Musso, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2001 and subsequent editions, available in the Library: 12LT. FL.24. 241 and SA.FM. CL.840.ORS. 012].
A collection of studies edited by the lecturer, available during the course (2 articles of your choice).
Bibliography for non-attending students
(Non-attending students should contact the lecturer to obtain the materials)
Textbook
Jacques Chaurand (ed.), Nouvelle histoire de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 1999. For Parts A and B: Jacques Chaurand, «Préhistoire, protohistoire et formation de l'ancien français», pp. 26-86; Serge Lusignan, «Langue française et société du XIIIe au XVe siècle», pp. 93-138. Per la parte C : Geneviève Clerico, «Le français au XVIe siècle», pp. 147-217.
Parts A and B
An anthology of texts available on MyAriel at the start of the course (Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Roman de Troie, Jean d'Arras's Mélusine).
A collection of studies edited by the lecturer, available during the course (3 articles of your choice for Part A and 3 for Part B).
Part C
Les Évangiles des quenouilles. Critical edition, introduction and notes by Madeleine Jeay, Paris, Vrin; Montréal, Presses de l'Université de Montréal, 1985 (anthology of passages read during the course available on MyAriel at the start of the lectures).
[Edition with Italian translation: I vangeli delle filatrici, edited by Daniela Musso, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2001 and subsequent editions, available in the Library: 12LT. FL.24. 241 and SA.FM. CL.840.ORS. 012].
A collection of studies edited by the lecturer, available during the course (3 articles of your choice).
Note to non-attending students
Non-attending students should contact the lecturer before beginning exam preparation. Given the greater difficulties arising from self-preparation, it is recommended that you devote an appropriate amount of time to studying and working through the contents of the syllabus.
Textbook
Jacques Chaurand, Histoire de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 1998 or later editions (available in the Library: 12LT. FL.36. 034). Chapters: I-III, pp. 1-64 («Le plus ancien français» ; «L'ancien français, XIIe-XIIIe siècle» ; «Moyen français et français du XVIe siècle»).
Parts A and B
An anthology of texts available on MyAriel at the start of the course (Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Roman de Troie, Jean d'Arras's Mélusine).
A collection of studies edited by the lecturer, available during the course (2 articles of your choice for Part A and 2 for Part B).
Part C
Les Évangiles des quenouilles. Critical edition, introduction and notes by Madeleine Jeay, Paris, Vrin; Montréal, Presses de l'Université de Montréal, 1985 (anthology of passages read during the course available on MyAriel at the start of the lectures).
[Edition with Italian translation: I vangeli delle filatrici, edited by Daniela Musso, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2001 and subsequent editions, available in the Library: 12LT. FL.24. 241 and SA.FM. CL.840.ORS. 012].
A collection of studies edited by the lecturer, available during the course (2 articles of your choice).
Bibliography for non-attending students
(Non-attending students should contact the lecturer to obtain the materials)
Textbook
Jacques Chaurand (ed.), Nouvelle histoire de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 1999. For Parts A and B: Jacques Chaurand, «Préhistoire, protohistoire et formation de l'ancien français», pp. 26-86; Serge Lusignan, «Langue française et société du XIIIe au XVe siècle», pp. 93-138. Per la parte C : Geneviève Clerico, «Le français au XVIe siècle», pp. 147-217.
Parts A and B
An anthology of texts available on MyAriel at the start of the course (Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Roman de Troie, Jean d'Arras's Mélusine).
A collection of studies edited by the lecturer, available during the course (3 articles of your choice for Part A and 3 for Part B).
Part C
Les Évangiles des quenouilles. Critical edition, introduction and notes by Madeleine Jeay, Paris, Vrin; Montréal, Presses de l'Université de Montréal, 1985 (anthology of passages read during the course available on MyAriel at the start of the lectures).
[Edition with Italian translation: I vangeli delle filatrici, edited by Daniela Musso, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2001 and subsequent editions, available in the Library: 12LT. FL.24. 241 and SA.FM. CL.840.ORS. 012].
A collection of studies edited by the lecturer, available during the course (3 articles of your choice).
Note to non-attending students
Non-attending students should contact the lecturer before beginning exam preparation. Given the greater difficulties arising from self-preparation, it is recommended that you devote an appropriate amount of time to studying and working through the contents of the syllabus.
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 are invited to contact the lecturer. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the lecturer, in agreement with the relevant office.
Non-attending students, international students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the lecturer. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the lecturer, in agreement with the relevant office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
FRAN-01/B - French Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Ferrari Barbara
Part C
FRAN-01/B - French Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Ferrari Barbara
Professor(s)