Reading Medieval French

Course Code

FR5006

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr G Hesketh

Pre-requisites

Some prior knowledge of Modern French is assumed

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

The course will be based on a close study of extracts from authentic texts. It will consider the spelling problems these texts present, and suggest strategies for using Old French dictionaries. It will also make a systematic study of the morphological and syntactic structures displayed in the texts, and any general lexical problems they embody. Each week there will be exercises designed to reinforce students' understanding, mostly involving translation from Old French into English, but sometimes translating from English into Old French. Initially the course will look at "Classical" Old French, but it will later introduce texts written in the major literary dialects, and from earlier and later periods, as appropriate.

Structure

10 one-hour seminars (1 per week for 10 weeks)

Assessment

100% Continuous Assessment (practical exercises in translation).