Product Description

Reading Medieval Latin is an anthology of Medieval Latin texts, arranged chronologically and thematically with introductions, commentaries and a vocabulary of nonclassical words and meanings. It is a language textbook, designed to introduce students with one year or more of Latin to the Latin writing and culture of the period A.D. 550-1200. It is the only systematic introduction for students to all types of Medieval Latin writing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #359823 in Books
• Published on: 1995-09-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
"Keith Sidwell promises his readers a selection of Medieval Latin readings that will give a relatively unskilled Latinist a sound introduction to Medieval Latin from the beginnings of 'Christian Latin' to the twelfth-century Renaissance. Sidwell's book in fact offers his readers even more than he promises. His impressive knowledge of numerous aspects of medieval studies, his lively sense of human interest, and his enjoyment of the humorous make Reading Medieval Latin an illuminating and stimulating study of the Middle Ages." Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Customer Reviews

A Solid Overview of Medieval Latin
Sidwell's anthology provides the Latin student with thorough notes, historical background to the authors, and medieval shifts in pronunciation and spelling. Occasionally Sidwell misses possible interpretations of passages or provides word-meanings that don't necessarily work well in a passage's context. These shorfalls, however, are hardly significant. Sidwell's book is an enjoyable and worthwhile text.

Good post-Wheelock book
I might as well start by saying that this book is by no means an introduction to Latin. Sidwell himself starts out by saying that, by and large, Medieval Latin is just Latin. It's best to start with a solid background in classical Latin (Wheelock's) and then move to this book when you want to start reading Medieval authors.

As another review noted, Sidwell gives good backgrounds on the changes that occurred in medieval Latin - again, medieval Latin is not some other language, it's simply Latin with some changes in orthography, grammar, and usage. In fact, without a solid background in classical Latin, this book would be almost worthless (except for its dictionary in the back - and even there, most words are defined in terms of their classical Latin equivalents).

Best of all is the appendix with the changes between classical and medieval Latin categorized. I refer to this appendix often when I come to an odd construct in the Vulgate, and it very often answers my questions.

I unfortunately have limited experience with the texts in the book themselves. What little I've looked through seem good, and the introductions are useful; but I've heard several negative comments about some of Sidwell's text choices (one person whom I respect said his choice of texts was "ghoulish".)

But, from my own personal experience, it's a good book as long as you don't try to use it for more than it's designed to do.

A Solid Overview of Medieval Latin
Sidwell's anthology provides the Latin student with thorough notes, historical background to the authors, and medieval shifts in pronunciation and spelling. Occasionally Sidwell misses possible interpretations of passages or provides word-meanings that don't necessarily work well in a passage's context. These shorfalls, however, are hardly significant. Sidwell's book is an enjoyable and worthwhile text.