Start Date
April 2024
Location
MCD 134
Abstract
The Roman empire undertook an extensive language policy which had significant effects on the linguistic landscape of its territory. The policy was primarily marked by its promotion of the Latin language for governmental, legal, and military matters. Latin was used both for practical reasons and as an exertion of Roman hegemony. In parts of the empire, Greek was used as the primary language instead, corresponding to areas which had an established use of the language as a lingua franca. In Latin-administered areas, Roman occupation was strongly connected to the decline of local languages in favor of Latin. These areas primarily speak Romance languages today. In Greek-administered areas, local languages maintained use alongside Greek, and continued to be spoken once Greek stopped being used as a lingua franca. There are also some areas where factors after Roman control resulted in a language shift, or where Latin never became entrenched based on the lack of strong Roman control.
The Parts, Presence, and Consequences of the Roman Language Policy
MCD 134
The Roman empire undertook an extensive language policy which had significant effects on the linguistic landscape of its territory. The policy was primarily marked by its promotion of the Latin language for governmental, legal, and military matters. Latin was used both for practical reasons and as an exertion of Roman hegemony. In parts of the empire, Greek was used as the primary language instead, corresponding to areas which had an established use of the language as a lingua franca. In Latin-administered areas, Roman occupation was strongly connected to the decline of local languages in favor of Latin. These areas primarily speak Romance languages today. In Greek-administered areas, local languages maintained use alongside Greek, and continued to be spoken once Greek stopped being used as a lingua franca. There are also some areas where factors after Roman control resulted in a language shift, or where Latin never became entrenched based on the lack of strong Roman control.
