LINGUISTIC THEORY IN THE DIALOGUES OF THE CINQUECENTO (ITALY)

The object of this study is to ascertain the basic nature of linguistic theory as expressed in nine outstanding Cinquecento dialogues: Bembo\u27s Prose, Castiglione\u27s Cortegiano, Gelli\u27s Ragionamento, Giambullari\u27s Gello, Machiavelli\u27s Discorso, Speroni\u27s Dialogo, Tolomei\u27s Cesano, Trissino\u27s Castellano, and Varchi\u27s Ercolano. Following a survey of previous scholarship (indicating general neglect of Renaissance language science) there appear an introduction to the treatises examined and a consideration of their significance in light of noteworthy sociopolitical, intellectual, and linguistic trends. The central discussion involves a division of material into macrolinguistic and microlinguistic --data relating, respectively, to language as system, and to particular utilization of such framework by individual speakers. A distinction is made, within the former grouping, between synchronic and diachronic aspects. Twenty-two specific topics are explored: (1) language function; description of (2) phonological/lexical and (3) morphological/syntactic data; role in linguistic classification of (4) phonology/lexicon and (5) morphology/syntax; role in classification of unspecified (6) geographic and (7) sociocultural criteria; (8) use of artificial/dead languages; (9) relation of linguistic to natural, psychological, cultural phenomena; (10) origin of language; (11) causes of linguistic change; (12) description of language development, continuity, extinction; change in (13) phonology/lexicon and (14) morphosyntax; (15) spread and recession of languages; (16) significant subjective macrolinguistic observations; shaping of usage by (17) linguistic and (18) non-linguistic factors; (19) bidialectalism/bilingualism; acquisition of (20) primary and (21) secondary tongues; and (22) significant subjective microlinguistic remarks. As all dialogue characters represent historical figures or express current viewpoints, no attempt is made at restricting attention to opinions consonant with those of the text\u27s authors; thus within each area discussed we profit from a variety of often contrasting perspectives. A concluding recapitulation presents characteristic traditional as well as salient modern ideas contained in the works investigated