Romance Linguistics
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to propose the advanced study of themes, methods and problems related to Romance linguistics. The history of the Romance languages will be studied from a comparative perspective (both in synchrony and in diachrony); particular attention will be paid to methodology concerning geolinguistics and/or sociolinguistics points of view.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student will have an in-depth knowledge of nineteenth- and twentieth-century history of Romance linguistics, as well as the theories and methodologies used in the field of Romance linguistics.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student must be able:
- to discern, understand, describe and classify the most important linguistic data through Medieval and/or Modern texts or documents, considering them from a diachronic and a diatopic point of view;
- to learn how to use the main consultation sources as well as orienting themselves effectively and confidently within the specific reference bibliography;
- to use the appropriate discipline-specific terminology.
At the end of the course the student will have an in-depth knowledge of nineteenth- and twentieth-century history of Romance linguistics, as well as the theories and methodologies used in the field of Romance linguistics.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student must be able:
- to discern, understand, describe and classify the most important linguistic data through Medieval and/or Modern texts or documents, considering them from a diachronic and a diatopic point of view;
- to learn how to use the main consultation sources as well as orienting themselves effectively and confidently within the specific reference bibliography;
- to use the appropriate discipline-specific terminology.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The program is divided into two parts:
A. Latin and the Romance languages: comparative historical-linguistic studies.
B. Topics, issues, and methods in Romance historical linguistics: schools of thought and textual analysis.
Part A explores the complex transition from the use of Latin as a lingua franca to the emergence and spread of Romance vernaculars; alongside this, the main issues in the comparative historical grammar of Romance languages are studied analytically.
Part B explores the main methodological advances in the scientific and comparative study of Romance languages from the nineteenth century to the present; alongside this, students learn linguistic analysis of Romance texts through a "field-based" approach, with a particular focus on medieval texts.
A. Latin and the Romance languages: comparative historical-linguistic studies.
B. Topics, issues, and methods in Romance historical linguistics: schools of thought and textual analysis.
Part A explores the complex transition from the use of Latin as a lingua franca to the emergence and spread of Romance vernaculars; alongside this, the main issues in the comparative historical grammar of Romance languages are studied analytically.
Part B explores the main methodological advances in the scientific and comparative study of Romance languages from the nineteenth century to the present; alongside this, students learn linguistic analysis of Romance texts through a "field-based" approach, with a particular focus on medieval texts.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
The course consists of 40 hours (6 ECTS) of lectures; linguistic texts' analysis activity will be carried out, as well as written exercise and oral presentation of case studies. The course uses e-learning teaching materials published on the dedicated MyAriel website.
Attendance in this course is strongly recommended; active participation from the students will be required during the lessons.
Attendance in this course is strongly recommended; active participation from the students will be required during the lessons.
Teaching Resources
All students are required to prepare:
For Part A:
- Lecture notes;
- Alberto Varvaro, «Il latino e la formazione delle lingue romanze», Il Mulino, Bologna, 2014;
- Marcello Barbato, «Le lingue romanze. Profilo storico-comparativo», Laterza, Roma-Bari.
For Part B:
- Lecture notes;
- A short anthology of texts that have been or will be analyzed linguistically, which will be available online on MyAriel 2.0 at the start of the course;
- Two essays to be chosen from the following:
1) Pierre Swiggers, «La linguistique romane, de Friedrich Diez à l'aube du XXe siècle», in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 43-64;
2) Johannes Kramer-Aline Willems, «La linguistique romane après la Première Guerre mondiale» in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 65-88;
3) Wolfgang Haubrichs-Max Pfister, «La 'Romania submersa' dans les pays de langue allemande», in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 224-244;
4) Johannes Kramer, «La 'Romania submersa' dans les îles britanniques, dans le sud-est de l'Europe et en Afrique», in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 245-260;
5) Lidia Becker, «La protohistoire médiévale des langues romanes», in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 261-286;
6) Achim Stein, «Corpus Linguistic Methods and the History of Romance Languages», in «Manual of Applied Romance Linguistics» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), ed. by Vera Mathieu, Julia Montemayor Gracia, Claudia Polzin-Haumann, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2025, pp. 57-79.
7) Maria Selig, «Discourse traditions in the early Romance period (with a focus on Gallo-Romance varieties)», in «Manual of Discourse Traditions in Romance» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 30), ed. by Esme Winter-Froemel, Álvaro S. Octavio de Toledo y Huerta, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 353-368;
8) Heiner Böhmer, «Discourse traditions in early Ibero-Romance varieties», in «Manual of Discourse Traditions in Romance» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 30), ed. by Esme Winter-Froemel, Álvaro S. Octavio de Toledo y Huerta, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 385-395;
9) Santiago Del Rey Quesada, «Discourse traditions and translation: interference between Latin and Romance in the Early Modern Period (poetry, dialogue, doctrinal prose)», in «Manual of Discourse Traditions in Romance» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 30), ed. by Esme Winter-Froemel, Álvaro S. Octavio de Toledo y Huerta, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 411-433;
10) Corrado Grassi, «La geografia linguistica», in Lexikon der romanistischen Linguistik (LRL), hrsg. von Günter Holtus, Michael Metzeltin, Christian Schmitt, vol. I, t. 1. Geschichte des Faches Romanistik. Methodologie (Das Sprachsystem), Max Niemeyer, Tübingen, 2a ed. 2011, pp. 207-235.
All the essays listed are available for consultation (and digital download) in the catalog of the Library of Classical Studies and Modern Philology (SAFM).
Attending students may substitute preparation for the exam on one of the essays listed above with a presentation of one of them (or another, agreed upon with the instructor) during a class session dedicated to student presentations, to be scheduled based on availability indicated during class (approximately toward the end of the course).
Note for non-attending students
Non-attending students are required to obtain good lecture notes from attending classmates; it is recommended to use complete notes taken with care and attention and to make an appointment with the instructor during office hours in advance to receive guidance on preparing for the course.
In addition, non-attending students will also prepare:
- For Part A: Barbara Frank-Job, "Romance and Latin in Medieval Discourse Traditions: The Elaboration of Vernacular Writing Between Inscriptions and In-scripturation," in *Manual of Discourse Traditions in Romance* (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 30), ed. by Esme Winter-Froemel, Álvaro S. Octavio de Toledo y Huerta, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 397-410;
- For Part B: an additional essay of your choice from those listed above.
For Part A:
- Lecture notes;
- Alberto Varvaro, «Il latino e la formazione delle lingue romanze», Il Mulino, Bologna, 2014;
- Marcello Barbato, «Le lingue romanze. Profilo storico-comparativo», Laterza, Roma-Bari.
For Part B:
- Lecture notes;
- A short anthology of texts that have been or will be analyzed linguistically, which will be available online on MyAriel 2.0 at the start of the course;
- Two essays to be chosen from the following:
1) Pierre Swiggers, «La linguistique romane, de Friedrich Diez à l'aube du XXe siècle», in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 43-64;
2) Johannes Kramer-Aline Willems, «La linguistique romane après la Première Guerre mondiale» in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 65-88;
3) Wolfgang Haubrichs-Max Pfister, «La 'Romania submersa' dans les pays de langue allemande», in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 224-244;
4) Johannes Kramer, «La 'Romania submersa' dans les îles britanniques, dans le sud-est de l'Europe et en Afrique», in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 245-260;
5) Lidia Becker, «La protohistoire médiévale des langues romanes», in «Manuel des langues romanes» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), éd. par Andre Klump, Johannes Kramer, Aline Willems, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2014, pp. 261-286;
6) Achim Stein, «Corpus Linguistic Methods and the History of Romance Languages», in «Manual of Applied Romance Linguistics» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 33), ed. by Vera Mathieu, Julia Montemayor Gracia, Claudia Polzin-Haumann, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2025, pp. 57-79.
7) Maria Selig, «Discourse traditions in the early Romance period (with a focus on Gallo-Romance varieties)», in «Manual of Discourse Traditions in Romance» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 30), ed. by Esme Winter-Froemel, Álvaro S. Octavio de Toledo y Huerta, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 353-368;
8) Heiner Böhmer, «Discourse traditions in early Ibero-Romance varieties», in «Manual of Discourse Traditions in Romance» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 30), ed. by Esme Winter-Froemel, Álvaro S. Octavio de Toledo y Huerta, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 385-395;
9) Santiago Del Rey Quesada, «Discourse traditions and translation: interference between Latin and Romance in the Early Modern Period (poetry, dialogue, doctrinal prose)», in «Manual of Discourse Traditions in Romance» (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 30), ed. by Esme Winter-Froemel, Álvaro S. Octavio de Toledo y Huerta, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 411-433;
10) Corrado Grassi, «La geografia linguistica», in Lexikon der romanistischen Linguistik (LRL), hrsg. von Günter Holtus, Michael Metzeltin, Christian Schmitt, vol. I, t. 1. Geschichte des Faches Romanistik. Methodologie (Das Sprachsystem), Max Niemeyer, Tübingen, 2a ed. 2011, pp. 207-235.
All the essays listed are available for consultation (and digital download) in the catalog of the Library of Classical Studies and Modern Philology (SAFM).
Attending students may substitute preparation for the exam on one of the essays listed above with a presentation of one of them (or another, agreed upon with the instructor) during a class session dedicated to student presentations, to be scheduled based on availability indicated during class (approximately toward the end of the course).
Note for non-attending students
Non-attending students are required to obtain good lecture notes from attending classmates; it is recommended to use complete notes taken with care and attention and to make an appointment with the instructor during office hours in advance to receive guidance on preparing for the course.
In addition, non-attending students will also prepare:
- For Part A: Barbara Frank-Job, "Romance and Latin in Medieval Discourse Traditions: The Elaboration of Vernacular Writing Between Inscriptions and In-scripturation," in *Manual of Discourse Traditions in Romance* (Manuals of Romance Linguistics, 30), ed. by Esme Winter-Froemel, Álvaro S. Octavio de Toledo y Huerta, Berlin, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 397-410;
- For Part B: an additional essay of your choice from those listed above.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a single oral test, grading on a scale of 30; the minimum mark for passing the exam is 18.
The exam aimed at verifying:
1) The knowledge of course syllabus contents;
2) The ability of critical thinking and application of the analysis methodologies explained in class;
3) The quality and efficacy of presentation
4) The competence in the use of discipline-specific terminology
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher (during office hours or by e-mail) before studying for their exam.
International students or incoming Erasmus are promptly invited to contact the teacher of the course.
The exam mode for SLD students and/or for students with other disabilities will have to be agreed with the teacher in accordance with the Office in charge.
The exam aimed at verifying:
1) The knowledge of course syllabus contents;
2) The ability of critical thinking and application of the analysis methodologies explained in class;
3) The quality and efficacy of presentation
4) The competence in the use of discipline-specific terminology
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher (during office hours or by e-mail) before studying for their exam.
International students or incoming Erasmus are promptly invited to contact the teacher of the course.
The exam mode for SLD students and/or for students with other disabilities will have to be agreed with the teacher in accordance with the Office in charge.
FLMR-01/B - Romance Philology and Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Tagliani Roberto
Professor(s)
Reception:
The student reception is only by appointment, in the professor's office. Please contact by email [email protected]
Department of Literary, Philological and Linguistic Studies, Modernistic section - Entrance B, 1st floor, room n. 1062