History of the Spanish Language

Catalog description

The course will explore three main issues: (1) The external history of the Spanish language: How do linguists read history? What cultural and historical events are important for the development of the Spanish language? As linguistic historians, we shall follow a canonical chronology that will examine pre-Roman influences, the spread of Latin, the linguistic fragmentation of the Peninsula, medieval attempts at standardization, trans-Atlantic expansion, the rise of the Academía, and the linguistic revival of the Autonomías. (2) The internal history of the Spanish language: Just when did Latin become Spanish? Why are some linguistic changes predictable while others aren't? Why don’t Spanish speakers say "fiestivo" or "duermimos"? But what about "cuentista"? Why do some Spanish speakers say "hablastes", "siéntensen" and "la di el libro a María"? And what about that lisping king? (3) What did the earliest Spanish texts look like? No prior knowledge of Latin or linguistics is necessary, but having an unquenchable curiosity about language is a definite advantage.