The aim of this course is to provide the students with a comprehensive picture of the historical evolution of the Greek language, from the beginnings to the present day, with special emphasis on the developments that took place in Classical and Hellenistic times.
My teaching will deal with the Indo-European roots of the Greek language, its internal evolution and the problems posed by the writing systems used for Ancient Greek.
The students should familiarize themselves with the problems linked to the three writing systems used for Greek (Mycenaean syllabary, Cypriot syllabary, alphabetic writing, with special regard to the archaic alphabets and writing conventions) and the linguistic developments from the most ancient literary texts (Homer, Hesiod) to those of Hellenistic times.
Ex cathedra teaching; it will be possible, for the students who are willing to do so, to read and comment on chunks of classical or Hellenistic texts of their own choice.
I will illustrate the various phases of development of the language by reading and commenting on Greek texts going back to different chronological levels, with special regard to Homer and Attic prose.
Select chapters from: A. C. Cassio (a cura di), Storia delle lingue letterarie greche, 2. edition, Le Monnier 2015.; A. Sihler, New Comparative Grammar of Greek & Latin, Oxford University Press 1994. The students will be provided with xeroxes of the texts translated and commented upon during the lessons.
ALBIO CESARE CASSIO (President)
SERENA PERRONE
LARA NICOLINI (Substitute)
LARA PAGANI (Substitute)
7th October 2020
HISTORY OF GREEK LANGUAGE
Viva examination.
The students should be able to read, translate and provide a linguistic commentary on the texts illustrated during the lessons. Knowledge of normative Greek grammar is a prerequisite.
