Languages and Communities in the Late-Roman and Post-Imperial Western Provinces

Languages are essential to identity and culture, yet the linguistic diversity of the late-Roman and post-imperial period in the Roman West is understudied. This volume offers a comprehensive modern study of the linguistic environment, focusing on the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, Gaul, the Germanies, Britain, and Ireland. It explores the embeddedness of Latin, sociolinguistic variegation, bilingualism, and attitudes towards languages, and the complex role of language in communities, identities, and cultures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 28 December 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Languages hold immense significance in shaping and expressing identities, cultures, and the very essence of life itself. However, the linguistic diversity that characterized the later-Roman and post-imperial period in the Roman West remains a relatively understudied realm. A deeper comprehension of this critical issue is essential for reconstructing the broader narrative of linguistic continuity and change in Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as the history of the communities that wrote, read, and spoke Latin and other languages.

Languages and Communities in the Late-Roman and Post-Imperial Western Provinces presents the first comprehensive modern exploration of the significant developments, prominent features, and ongoing debates within the later-Roman and post-imperial linguistic landscape. This volume specifically focuses on the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, Gaul, the Germanies, Britain, and Ireland, providing a comprehensive examination of the linguistic environment during this period.

The chapters compiled in this volume serve as valuable resources in understanding the multifaceted nature of Latin's presence at various social levels and across different provinces. They shed light on the phenomenon of socio-linguistic variegation, explore the dynamics of bi-/multi-lingualism, and examine the complex attitudes towards languages within these communities. By delving into these aspects, the volume enables us to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate role that language played in shaping the identities, cultures, and societies of the later- and post-imperial Roman Western world.

In addition to this comprehensive study, two further volumes will be published as part of the European Research Council-funded LatinNow project. These volumes will explore the social factors contributing to the Latinization of the Roman West and delve into the Latinization, local languages, and literacies in the Roman West.

Together, these volumes will contribute significantly to our understanding of the rich linguistic heritage of the late-Roman and post-imperial era, shedding light on the complex interplay between languages, societies, and historical processes.

Weight: 748g
Dimension: 241 x 166 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198888956