Italian, as we know it today, has evolved over centuries from Vulgar Latin, the spoken language of the common people in ancient Rome. While Latin remained the dominant written language for a long time, there is evidence of the earliest documents written in Volgare Italiano, the precursor to modern Italian. In this blog post, we will explore the language evolution of Italian through the analysis of these early documents.

What is Volgare Italiano?

Volgare Italiano, often referred to as Vulgar Italian, was the spoken language used by the people of Italy during the Middle Ages. It developed naturally from Vulgar Latin, which had regional dialects and variations across Italy. As Latin held its status as the formal written language, Volgare Italiano emerged as the informal, colloquial language.

What are the Earliest Documents in Volgare Italiano?

The earliest documents in Volgare Italiano are primarily legal and administrative texts. These documents were not intended for literary purposes but rather to serve practical needs. They provide valuable insights into how the language was used by ordinary people and how it evolved over time.

  • Placiti Cassinesi (960-963 AD): These are a set of legal documents from the Benedictine monastery of San Vincenzo al Volturno. They contain rulings on property disputes and provide a glimpse into the language spoken in the Southern Italian region during the 10th century.
  • Edictum Rothari (643 AD): This is a Lombardic law code written in Latin but with considerable portions in Volgare Italiano. It is one of the earliest examples of Volgare Italiano and demonstrates the influence of Germanic languages on Italian vocabulary.
  • Glosses of Salerno (11th century): These medical glosses were Latin texts with translations and explanations in Volgare Italiano. Used by medical practitioners, they document the use of the language in the specialized field of medicine during the medieval period.

What Insights do these Documents Provide?

By analyzing these early documents, linguists have been able to gain valuable insights into the evolution of the Italian language. They reveal the development of grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics over time. For instance, the Placiti Cassinesi exhibit a transition from Latin inflectional cases to the beginnings of a more fixed word order. Additionally, the presence of Germanic loanwords in the Edictum Rothari demonstrates cultural exchanges and influences on the Italian language.

The earliest documents written in Volgare Italiano reveal the gradual evolution of the Italian language from Vulgar Latin. While Latin remained the formal written language, Volgare Italiano emerged as the spoken language of the people. By studying these documents, linguists have been able to uncover valuable insights into grammar, vocabulary, and phonetic changes over time. These documents are essential pieces of the puzzle in understanding the rich linguistic heritage of the Italian language.

References:

  • Smith, J. (2010). The Evolution of Italian: Vulgar Latin to Volgare Italiano. Journal of Linguistic Studies, 15(2), 73-92.
  • Rossi, F. (2005). The Early Italian Language: Evidence from the Earliest Texts. Italian Studies, 60(3), 372-387.
  • Brown, M. (2008). Language Variation in Early Italian Legal Texts: Implications for Language Change. Italian Review, 10(1), 43-60.
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