Ateneo - UPO

READING RENAISSANCE FRENCH: LANGUAGE, TEXTS, SUPPORTS. The 16th century was a period of extraordinary ferment for France in terms of the evolution of language and the transformation of the literary canon. It was a period characterised by phenomena such as the rise of the humanist programme for the restoration of the ‘bonae litterae’, the spread of printing with movable type, the extension of the areas of use of the vernacular, the multiplication of theoretical debates on language, and the creation of the first instruments to describe and regulate it (grammars, dictionaries, etc.). The course aims to provide the indispensable tools in the fields of linguistics, literary-cultural history and material bibliography for the study of documents and literary texts produced in this era of exceptional vitality and complexity.

Mandatory bibliography: 1) Mirelle Huchon, Histoire de la langue française, Paris, Librairie Générale française (« Le Livre de Poche »), 2002 o edizione più recente, chapters I-V. 2) Yvonne Cazal, Gabriella Parussa, Introduction à l’histoire de l’orthographe, Paris, Armand Colin, 2022 (2e édition), parts 1-2. 3) additional texts, documents and materials published on the DIR platform. Complementary bibliography (optional): - Gabriel Audisio, Isabelle Rambaud, Lire le français d’hier. Manuel de paléographie moderne XVe-XVIIIe siècle, Paris, Armand Colin, 2023 (6e édition). - Sabine Lardon, Marie-Claire Thomine, Grammaire française de la Renaissance. Étude morphosyntaxique, Paris, Classiques Garnier, 2009. - Michel de Montaigne, Les essais, textes établis par Jean Balsamo, Michel Magnien et Catherine Magnien-Simonin, Paris, Gallimard ("Bibliothèque de la Pléiade"), 2007.

Primary objectives: (1) to acquire a basic knowledge of the lexical, morphological, syntactic, phonetic and graphic specificities of Renaissance French; (2) to acquire a basic knowledge of the historical and cultural context of reference; (3) to acquire elements of palaeography and material bibliography indispensable for the study of documents and texts produced in 16th-century France. Advanced objectives: (4) to master the basic tools for the linguistic and philological study of literary texts composed in 16th-century France.

Possessing a B2 language proficiency level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Lectures, partly devoted to the exposition of historical, historical-linguistic and theoretical notions, partly to the reading, translation and analysis of texts.

The DIR platform will provide (1) texts presented in class, (2) supplementary documentation and (3) the weekly lecture register. Non-attending students (i.e. those who have not attended at least 70% of the lectures) will have to agree with the lecturer on complementary teaching materials. If you have any questions regarding the course programme, teaching materials, lecture content or the conduct of the examination, please contact the lecturer. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The examination (grade expressed in thirtieths), which will make it possible to assess the degree of achievement of the "Mission", will consist of an oral test lasting a total of approximately 30 minutes, structured as follows. (1) Two theoretical questions on topics and texts covered in class, posted on DIR and/or set out in the volumes indicated in the compulsory bibliography. Each answer will be awarded between 0 and 10 points, taking into consideration both content and clarity of exposition. (2) Historical-linguistic and philological commentary on a document or literary text not dealt with in class (15 minutes for reading and preparation of the commentary, to be given later). The commentary on this text will be awarded between 0 and 10 points. The final grade will be the sum of the points awarded to parts (1) and (2). In order to achieve 18/30, it will be necessary to show that (a) one has mastered the basic historical-linguistic, philological and theoretical notions illustrated during the course, and (b) one understands and is able to place the texts assigned for the examination in a satisfactory historical context. In order to achieve 30/30, students will be required to demonstrate (a) a confident mastery of every aspect of the syllabus, and (b) an understanding and ability to frame in a relevant manner and analyse in depth the texts assigned for the examination. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SDA) and Special Educational Needs will be provided with dedicated tools and services.

The course will begin with an outline of the specificities of the language of the 16th century, illustrated at in parallel with the presentation of historical events, socio-cultural phenomena, literary movements and personalities that decisively influenced its evolution: the spread of the printing press and the emergence of a book market; the debates on the dignity of the French language, on translation and on relations with other European languages; the compilation of the first dictionaries and grammars; the various forms of promotion of the national vernacular language by patrons and authors. This theoretical presentation will be accompanied by the reading, translation and historical-linguistic and philological commentary of documents and literary texts. Elements of palaeography and material bibliography, indispensable for the study of manuscript or printed documents from the 16th century that have not been the subject of modern editions, will also be addressed at a later stage of the course.

Basic learning objectives: (1) Knowledge of the main characteristics of 16th century French and the historical and cultural context of reference. (2) Awareness of the processes of lexical, morphological, syntactic, phonetic and graphic transformation of the French language in the period in question. Advanced learning objectives: (3) Ability to apply the tools of historical-linguistic and philological analysis acquired during the course to the study of documents and literary texts that were not analysed during the course.