History of the French Language
FRE 6845
Spring 2004
- Dr. William Calin
Graduate Research Professor - Wednesdays
Periods 9-11 - CBD 210
I. Theme of Course
The History of French over the centuries, from Charlemagne to Chirac. Study of individual brief texts. Among the topics for discussion: pronunciation of the old language (up to 18th century); the evolution in orthography; shifts in meaning over time; levels of style (and obscenity); diglossia; gender; language and ideas of nationality; the prestige of French (since the 12th century); attitudes toward language; debunking common myths (French needed enriching by the Pléiade; French needed clarity and order from classicism; modern French is clear, orderly, and harmonious but lacks a rich vocabulary); the complex, problematic relations between the literary and spoken language; the regional languages of France.
II. Student Work & Expectations
Students are expected to keep up with the reading assignments and to participate actively in class discussion.
One twelve-to-fifteen page paper. No examinations. No incompletes.
III. Texts
- R. Anthony Lodge, Le Français: Histoire d’un dialecte devenu langue.
- Jacques Chaurand, Histoire de la langue française.
- Packet of Readings.
IV. Schedule
January
- 7 Introduction
- 14 Serments de Strasbourg Ch1; L1-3
- 21 Medieval French Ch 2; L 4 28 ibid
February
- 4 ibid
- 11 ibid Ch 3; L 5
- 18 Sixteenth Century L 6
- 25 ibid
March
- 3 Eighteenth Century Ch 4; L 7
- 10 Secular Holiday
- 17 Eighteenth Century
- March 24 Twentieth Century Ch 5-6; L 8
- 31 Twentieth Century
April
- 7 Twentieth Century
- 14 Twentieth Century
- 21 Reading Period
V. Contact Information
- Office: 236 Dauer Hall
- Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday Per. 8
- Office Phone: 392-2016 x 238
- Home Phone: 373-3739
- Courriel: wcalin@rll.ufl.edu
