Romance Languages and the word "Yes"
Pays d’Oc, Pays d’Oïl, Pays de Sì: Countries of Oks, Countries of Oïl, Countries of Sì.
Pays d’Oc, Pays d’Oïl, Pays de Sì: Countries of Oks, Countries of Oïl, Countries of Sì.
Through Dante Alighieri's analysis of the word "Yes", we can see the evolution and history of Romance Languages.
Through Dante Alighieri's analysis of the word "Yes", we can see the evolution and history of Romance Languages.
Dante Alighieri, the famous Italian poet, wrote a composition entitled "De Vulgari Eloquentia" (On Eloquence in the Vernacular or Concerning Vernacular Eloquence), in which he discusses the development of the Romance languages.
Dante Alighieri, the famous Italian poet, wrote a composition entitled "De Vulgari Eloquentia" (On Eloquence in the Vernacular or Concerning Vernacular Eloquence), in which he discusses the development of the Romance languages.
He divided Europe into three portions:
He divided Europe into three portions:
- The Greek-based languages, to the east
- The Romance languages, to the south
Dante further subdivided the southern languages into three branches:
Dante further subdivided the southern languages into three branches:
- The language of Oc (Occitan)
- The language of Oïl (now contemporary French)
The emblem for these groups is the word “yes.”
The emblem for these groups is the word “yes.”
Oc: In southern France, Monaco, and parts of Italy and Spain, oc was used traditionally for “yes”,
Oc: In southern France, Monaco, and parts of Italy and Spain, oc was used traditionally for “yes”,
Oïl: In northern France and parts of Belgium, oïl was used.
Oïl: In northern France and parts of Belgium, oïl was used.
Sì: Sì was used in most of Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
Sì: Sì was used in most of Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
All three words come from Latin terms of agreement: oc originated in hoc, meaning “this,” oïl from hoc illud, meaning “this is it,” and sì from sic, meaning “thus it is.” While oc and oïl are rarely used in contemporary languages, the sì form is still utilized in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese (sim).
All three words come from Latin terms of agreement: oc originated in hoc, meaning “this,” oïl from hoc illud, meaning “this is it,” and sì from sic, meaning “thus it is.” While oc and oïl are rarely used in contemporary languages, the sì form is still utilized in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese (sim).
The Decline of Occitan Language
The Decline of Occitan Language
The Occitan language declined in usage and popularity beginning in the 14th century, around the time that French royal power – seated in northern France – extended its domain over the rest of the country. Eventually, in 1539, the langue d’oïl became the official language of French administration by a piece of legislature known as the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts. This document, signed by King Francis I in the northern city of Villers-Cotterêts, was the second-to-last blow for the Occitan language. The final one was the French Revolution, whose proponents emphasized unity of language, and so encouraged the use of a single French dialect. The Occitan language enjoyed a minor resurgence after World War I, in part due to the spread of Occitan speakers in France and in part due to the emergence of poets, playwrights, and authors from southern France who emphasized their cultural heritage and language.
The Occitan language declined in usage and popularity beginning in the 14th century, around the time that French royal power – seated in northern France – extended its domain over the rest of the country. Eventually, in 1539, the langue d’oïl became the official language of French administration by a piece of legislature known as the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts. This document, signed by King Francis I in the northern city of Villers-Cotterêts, was the second-to-last blow for the Occitan language. The final one was the French Revolution, whose proponents emphasized unity of language, and so encouraged the use of a single French dialect. The Occitan language enjoyed a minor resurgence after World War I, in part due to the spread of Occitan speakers in France and in part due to the emergence of poets, playwrights, and authors from southern France who emphasized their cultural heritage and language.
The Language of Oïl
The Language of Oïl
The language of Oïl, which is now contemporary French, was spoken in northern France and parts of Belgium. It was the official language of French administration in 1539, and it was encouraged by the French Revolution. The language of Oïl is still spoken today, and it is the official language of 29 countries.
The language of Oïl, which is now contemporary French, was spoken in northern France and parts of Belgium. It was the official language of French administration in 1539, and it was encouraged by the French Revolution. The language of Oïl is still spoken today, and it is the official language of 29 countries.
The Language of Sì
The Language of Sì
The language of Sì, which includes Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, is still widely spoken today. The word "sì" is still used in these languages to mean "yes." Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the world, with over 460 million speakers. Italian is spoken by over 85 million people worldwide, and Portuguese is spoken by over 220 million people worldwide.
The language of Sì, which includes Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, is still widely spoken today. The word "sì" is still used in these languages to mean "yes." Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the world, with over 460 million speakers. Italian is spoken by over 85 million people worldwide, and Portuguese is spoken by over 220 million people worldwide.
Dante Alighieri's "De Vulgari Eloquentia" provides a fascinating insight into the development of the Romance languages. The division of the southern languages into three branches – the language of Oc, the language of Oïl, and the language of Sì – is still relevant today, as these languages are still spoken and used in different parts of Europe. The word "yes" is a symbol of these languages, and it is interesting to see how the Latin terms of agreement have evolved into the different words used today. While the Occitan language has declined in usage and popularity, the language of Oïl and the language of Sì are still widely spoken and used today.
Dante Alighieri's "De Vulgari Eloquentia" provides a fascinating insight into the development of the Romance languages. The division of the southern languages into three branches – the language of Oc, the language of Oïl, and the language of Sì – is still relevant today, as these languages are still spoken and used in different parts of Europe. The word "yes" is a symbol of these languages, and it is interesting to see how the Latin terms of agreement have evolved into the different words used today. While the Occitan language has declined in usage and popularity, the language of Oïl and the language of Sì are still widely spoken and used today.
Do you need something translated to/from a Romance, or other, language?
Our expert team of translators can help!
Citations:
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_vulgari_eloquentia
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_vulgari_eloquentia
[2] http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1617/a-theory-of-vernacular-rhetoric-reading-dantes-de-vulgari-eloquentia
[2] http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1617/a-theory-of-vernacular-rhetoric-reading-dantes-de-vulgari-eloquentia
[3] https://www.amazon.com/Literature-Vernacular-Vulgari-Eloquentia-Alighieri/dp/0856352748
[3] https://www.amazon.com/Literature-Vernacular-Vulgari-Eloquentia-Alighieri/dp/0856352748
[4] https://www.internetculturale.it/directories/ViaggiNelTesto/dante/eng/b22.html
[4] https://www.internetculturale.it/directories/ViaggiNelTesto/dante/eng/b22.html
[5] https://archive.org/download/de_vulgari_eloquentia_1506_librivox/Dante_1506.pdf
[5] https://archive.org/download/de_vulgari_eloquentia_1506_librivox/Dante_1506.pdf
[6] https://www.rjjulia.com/book/9781961822993
[6] https://www.rjjulia.com/book/9781961822993