Reconsidering the shift from Latin to Romance, from the perspective of the Council of Tours (813)

Abstract

ABSTRACT It is generally taken for granted that the Carolingian reforms played an important role in the dissociation of written Latin from the early Romance dialects. The side effects of this process, however, must not be overestimated. For instance, the hypothesis of a vertical break in oral communication during sermons, homilies and preaching in general cannot be substantiated. This paper proposes a new reading of one of the texts considered to be a key witness to this break: Canon 17 of the acts of the Council of Tours (813). It concludes that its well-known reference to the translation of homilies into the vernacular was intended for the education of the clergy – especially priests – not the general Christian population.