Publisher Description

Classical Latin appears to be without regional dialects, yet Latin evolved in little more than a millennium into a variety of different languages (the Romance languages: Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese etc.). Was regional diversity apparent from the earliest times, obscured perhaps by the standardisation of writing, or did some catastrophic event in late antiquity cause the language to vary? These questions have long intrigued Latinists and Romance philologists, struck by the apparent uniformity of Latin alongside the variety of Romance. This book, first published in 2007, establishes that Latin was never geographically uniform. The changing patterns of diversity and the determinants of variation are examined from the time of the early inscriptions of Italy, through to late antiquity and the beginnings of the Romance dialects in the western Roman provinces. This is the most comprehensive treatment ever undertaken of the regional diversification of Latin throughout its history in the Roman period.

Notes

Classical Latin appears to be without regional dialects, yet Latin evolved in little more than a millennium into a variety of different languages (the Romance languages: Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese etc.). This book argues that, despite appearances, Latin never lacked regional variations. The changing patterns and causes of this diversity are examined from the time of the earliest inscriptions through to late antiquity. This is the most comprehensive treatment ever undertaken of the regional diversification of Latin throughout its history in the Roman period.

Author Biography

J. N. ADAMS is a Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford.

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction; Part II. The Republic; Part III. Explicit Evidence for Regional Variation; Part IV. Explicit Evidence; Part V. Regionalisms in Provincial Texts; Part VI. Spain; Part VII. Italy; Part VIII. Africa; Part IX. Britain; Part X. Inscriptions; Part XI. Conclusions.

Review

'Without doubt, this book will have a wide-ranging relevance and impact. … [Adams] has produced a rare book of outstanding scope and insight, combining all the best aspects of modern criticism with unrivalled traditional scholarship.' Britannia

Promotional

This book, first published in 2007, is a comprehensive examination of regional diversification in Latin from the earliest beginnings to late antiquity.

Review Quote

'Without doubt, this book will have a wide-ranging relevance and impact. … [Adams] has produced a rare book of outstanding scope and insight, combining all the best aspects of modern criticism with unrivalled traditional scholarship.' Britannia

Promotional "Headline"

This book, first published in 2007, is a comprehensive examination of regional diversification in Latin from the earliest beginnings to late antiquity.

Description for Bookstore

Classical Latin appears to be without regional dialects, yet Latin evolved in little more than a millennium into a variety of different languages. This book argues comprehensively that Latin in fact never lacked regional variations and examines the changing patterns and causes of this diversity throughout the Roman period.

Description for Library

Classical Latin appears to be without regional dialects, yet Latin evolved in little more than a millennium into a variety of different languages. This book argues comprehensively that Latin in fact never lacked regional variations and examines the changing patterns and causes of this diversity throughout the Roman period.

Details