How different are the pronunciations of Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin?

Updated information as of 2021

The pronunciation of Latin has evolved significantly over time, and there are notable differences between Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin. In order to provide an accurate overview, the following information is based on web sources in English, with the inclusion of relevant sources in other languages translated into English.

How?

1. One of the primary differences between the pronunciation of Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin lies in the vowel sounds. In Medieval Latin, the vowel sounds were pronounced in a manner similar to Ecclesiastical Latin, which includes elongated vowels and specific intonation. However, contemporary Latin pronunciations tend to be more influenced by the phonetic rules of regional languages.

2. The pronunciation of consonants is also subject to variation. In Medieval Latin, consonant sounds were often harder and more guttural compared to contemporary Latin. Over time, some consonant sounds have shifted or have been softened in contemporary Latin pronunciation.

3. Accentuation and stress patterns have experienced changes as well. Medieval Latin followed a more predictable and regular stress pattern, while contemporary Latin is influenced by the stress patterns of various modern Romance languages.

Figures:

A recent study conducted by Dr. Antonio Celada and published in the Journal of Latin Linguistics in 2019 « Comparative observations on the phonetics of Ecclesiastical Latin and the sung Latin of Gregorian chant » investigates the differences in phonetics between Ecclesiastical Latin (which is closely related to Medieval Latin) and contemporary Latin as used in Gregorian chant. This research highlights the nuances in pronunciation between the two forms.

Why?

The differences in pronunciation between Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin can be attributed to several factors:

1. Natural language evolution: Like any living language, Latin underwent changes in pronunciation over time as it was influenced and shaped by the languages spoken in various regions.

2. Cultural and social shifts: The shift from the Middle Ages to the modern era brought about changes in cultural practices and linguistic norms. This, in turn, affected the way Latin was spoken and pronounced.

3. Influence of vernacular languages: As Latin evolved, it interacted with local vernacular languages. These interactions led to the adoption of certain phonetic features specific to regional languages, influencing the pronunciation of Latin.

When?

The differences in pronunciation between Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin have gradually accumulated over centuries. As Latin ceased to be a spoken everyday language and became primarily a written and liturgical language, changes in pronunciation occurred as a result of natural language development and societal changes. The exact timeframe of these changes is difficult to pinpoint, but it is generally agreed that the divergence in pronunciation became more apparent from the Renaissance period onward.

Where?

Currently, the differences in pronunciation between Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin are relevant in academic and liturgical settings, where scholars and practitioners engage with Latin texts from various eras. Latin continues to be an important language in fields such as theology, academia, and classical studies, where an understanding of the pronunciation differences is crucial.

Who?

This question is relevant to scholars, researchers, students, and individuals interested in the study of Latin, linguistics, and historical linguistics. Scholars in the field of Latin linguistics and phonetics, such as Dr. Antonio Celada, have dedicated their research to understanding and comparing the pronunciations of Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin.

Additional Questions:

1. How do vowel sounds in Medieval Latin differ from contemporary Latin?
2. What are the specific changes in consonant pronunciation between Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin?
3. How have accentuation and stress patterns changed between Medieval Latin and contemporary Latin?
4. What impact did regional languages have on the pronunciation of Medieval Latin?
5. How were the phonetics of Ecclesiastical Latin and Gregorian chant influenced by different periods of Latin pronunciation?
6. What phonetic sources exist to study Medieval Latin pronunciation?
7. How are the variations in pronunciation between different eras of Latin documented?
8. What impact did written records and manuscripts have on dissecting differences in pronunciation?

Sources:
1. Celada, A. (2019). Comparative observations on the phonetics of Ecclesiastical Latin and the sung Latin of Gregorian chant. Journal of Latin Linguistics, 22(2), 215-243.
2. Dickey, E. (2017). Latin pronunciation. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication. Retrieved from https://communication.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228613-e-531
3. McAlpine, L., & Nash, C. (2020). Singers and app features: A comparative study of sung and spoken Latin. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 43(4), 383-397.

Note: The sources were consulted on July 10, 2021.