Department of French and Italian

Note: Graduate and Graduate Nondegree students only

F603 provides an introduction to the history of the French language, focusing on 'internal' developments while setting these against an 'external' (i.e. historical and social) backdrop within Europe and the Mediterranean area. We will investigate especially: (1) the evolution of the sound system from Latin to French (thus coming to an understanding of the history of many Modern French words) (2) the structure of Old French (12th – 13th centuries) (by reading an Old French lay by Marie de France, in installments) and (3) contemporary linguistic approaches to variation, change, and language contact. Taught in English. No linguistics background is assumed, but participants should have advanced proficiency in Modern French or consult with the instructor in advance.

FRIT-F 603      #29513     (3)        MW     3:55 P-5:10 P     Online   Prof Barbara Vance