D'Argenio, Elisa (2026) Spoken language in medieval legal charters? Revisiting some 8th century notitiae. ACTA LINGUISTICA ACADEMICA, 73 (1). pp. 19-40. ISSN 2559-8201
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Abstract
This study explores the interplay between formulaic language, direct speech, and scribes' linguistic competence in medieval legal charters, particularly notitiae. This documentary genre, which records various stages of legal proceedings, includes testimonies rendered in direct speech. Linguistic analysis, including comparisons with the chartulae written by the same scribe, reveals how scribes, acting as agents in the passage from orality to writing, played an active role in shaping direct speech. Their linguistic skills are reflected in complex ways. While direct speech might be expected to mirror spoken language, the presence of formulaic and stereotyped constructions suggests a more nuanced reality. This may stem not only from the orality-to-writing process but also from a certain ritualism embedded in some medieval legal practices, as suggested by the linguistic analysis of the documentation.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | direct speech, formulaic language, medieval Latin, medieval legal charters, scribes |
| Subjects: | P Language and Literature / nyelvészet és irodalom > P0 Philology. Linguistics / filológia, nyelvészet > P140 Historical linguistics / nyelvtörténet, történeti nyelvtan P Language and Literature / nyelvészet és irodalom > PA Classical philology / klasszika-filológia > PA20 Latin / latin filológia |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Béla Adamik |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Jul 2026 12:11 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Jul 2026 12:11 |
| URI: | https://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/241711 |
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