Dante’s conception of language is encompassed in all his works and can be understood in terms of a strenuous defence of the volgare in tension with the prestige of Latin. By bringing together different approaches, from literary studies to philosophy and history, from aesthetics to queer studies, from psychoanalysis to linguistics, this volume offers new critical insights on the question of Dante’s language, engaging with both the philosophical works characterized by an original project of vulgarization, and the poetic works, which perform a new language in an innovative and self-reflexive way. In particular, Dante’s Plurilingualism explores the rich and complex way in which Dante’s linguistic theory and praxis both informs and reflects an original configuration of the relationship between authority, knowledge and identity that continues to be fascinated by an ideal of unity but is also imbued with a strong element of subjectivity and opens up towards multiplicity and modernity.
Reviews:
‘From the introduction to the concluding interview with Giorgio Pressburger, this volume of essays is characterized by both authoritative contributions from major figures in Dante studies (Baranski, Gragnolati, Pertile) and also by genuinely original lines of enquiry. Dante’s Plurilingualism constitutes an indispensable point of reference for contemporary Dante studies, an ideal companion to the new Dante editions that have recently appeared, and also acts as a constant spur to reread all of the poet’s works, and to appreciate the ‘plurilingualism’ that is inherent even in those works that that precede the Comedy.’ — Federica Pich, Lettere Italiane 2011, 323-28
‘Although we also find essays that offer a strong historicizing or linguistic focus and others that are powerful contributions to the methodologies and findings traditionally associated with Dante studies, the volume remains of particular note (and importance) for its concern to open Dante up to dialogue across disciplines and to relate him to contemporary debates.’ — Simon Gilson, Modern Language Review 107.1, January 2012, 292-93 (full text online)
‘Colpisce e affascina, in Dante’s Plurilingualism, una ben percepibile disposizione all’audacia interpretativa, al “saggio” come esperimento intellettuale; ciò che convince, nell’insieme, è che non si sia di fronte alla mera esibizione di uno “stile” critico – pur di- versamente delineato –, ma ad un molteplice tentativo di indagine su Dante, inteso come oggetto e al tempo stesso soggetto non tanto di una determinata stagione della lingua e della letteratura italiane, quanto di una più ampia e complessa storia culturale.’ — Martino Marazzi, L'Alighieri 39, June 2012, 160-64
‘Proprio nella lingua che usiamo, con cui scriviamo, possiamo essere convinti che Dante sia arrivato prima di noi e che ci abbia lasciato una grandissima eredità. Gli interventi di questo volume riescono a mettere in evidenza tutti gli aspetti per cui la lingua di Dante e il suo modo di utilizzarla appaiono ancora oggi come un 'miracolo inconcepibile'.’ — Irene Baccarini, Dante VIII, 2011, 227-30
Contents:
1-15
Introduction: Dante’s Plurilingualism Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati, Jürgen Trabant
Fortuna, Sara, Gragnolati, Manuele, and Trabant, Jürgen, ‘Introduction: Dante’s Plurilingualism’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 1–15
First footnote reference:35 Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati, Jürgen Trabant, ‘Introduction: Dante’s Plurilingualism’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 1–15, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Fortuna, Gragnolati, and Trabant, p. 47.
Fortuna, Sara, Gragnolati, Manuele, and Trabant, Jürgen. 2010. ‘Introduction: Dante’s Plurilingualism’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 1–15
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Fortuna, Gragnolati, and Trabant 2010: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Fortuna, Gragnolati, and Trabant 2010: 21.
Lepschy, Giulio, ‘Mother Tongues in the Middle Ages and Dante’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 16–23
First footnote reference:35 Giulio Lepschy, ‘Mother Tongues in the Middle Ages and Dante’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 16–23, p. 21.
Lepschy, Giulio. 2010. ‘Mother Tongues in the Middle Ages and Dante’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 16–23
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Lepschy 2010: 21).
Trabant, Jürgen, ‘Millena variatio: Overcoming the Horror of Variation’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 24–33
First footnote reference:35 Jürgen Trabant, ‘Millena variatio: Overcoming the Horror of Variation’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 24–33, p. 21.
Trabant, Jürgen. 2010. ‘Millena variatio: Overcoming the Horror of Variation’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 24–33
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Trabant 2010: 21).
Rosier-Catach, Irène, ‘Man as a Speaking and Political Animal: A Political Reading of Dante’s De vulgari eloquentia’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 34–51
First footnote reference:35 Irène Rosier-Catach, ‘Man as a Speaking and Political Animal: A Political Reading of Dante’s De vulgari eloquentia’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 34–51, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Rosier-Catach, p. 47.
Rosier-Catach, Irène. 2010. ‘Man as a Speaking and Political Animal: A Political Reading of Dante’s De vulgari eloquentia’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 34–51
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Rosier-Catach 2010: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Rosier-Catach 2010: 21.
Tavoni, Mirko, ‘Volgare e latino nella storia di Dante’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 52–68
First footnote reference:35 Mirko Tavoni, ‘Volgare e latino nella storia di Dante’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 52–68, p. 21.
Tavoni, Mirko. 2010. ‘Volgare e latino nella storia di Dante’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 52–68
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Tavoni 2010: 21).
Gensini, Stefano, ‘Le idee linguistiche di Dante e il naturalismo fiorentino-toscano del Cinquecento’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 69–82
First footnote reference:35 Stefano Gensini, ‘Le idee linguistiche di Dante e il naturalismo fiorentino-toscano del Cinquecento’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 69–82, p. 21.
Gensini, Stefano. 2010. ‘Le idee linguistiche di Dante e il naturalismo fiorentino-toscano del Cinquecento’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 69–82
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gensini 2010: 21).
Piparo, Franco Lo, ‘Aristotele e Dante, filosofi della variabilità linguistica’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 83–97
First footnote reference:35 Franco Lo Piparo, ‘Aristotele e Dante, filosofi della variabilità linguistica’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 83–97, p. 21.
Piparo, Franco Lo. 2010. ‘Aristotele e Dante, filosofi della variabilità linguistica’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 83–97
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Piparo 2010: 21).
Barański, Zygmunt G., ‘The Roots of Dante’s Plurilingualism: “Hybridity” and Language in the Vita nova’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 98–121
First footnote reference:35 Zygmunt G. Barański, ‘The Roots of Dante’s Plurilingualism: “Hybridity” and Language in the Vita nova’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 98–121, p. 21.
Barański, Zygmunt G.. 2010. ‘The Roots of Dante’s Plurilingualism: “Hybridity” and Language in the Vita nova’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 98–121
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Barański 2010: 21).
Lindorfer, Bettina, ‘Language as a Mirror of the Soul: Guilt and Punishment in Dante’s Concept of Language’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 122–32
First footnote reference:35 Bettina Lindorfer, ‘Language as a Mirror of the Soul: Guilt and Punishment in Dante’s Concept of Language’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 122–32, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Lindorfer, p. 47.
Lindorfer, Bettina. 2010. ‘Language as a Mirror of the Soul: Guilt and Punishment in Dante’s Concept of Language’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 122–32
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Lindorfer 2010: 21).
Lombardi, Elena, ‘Plurilingualism sub specie aeternitatis and the Strategies of a Minority Author’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 133–49
First footnote reference:35 Elena Lombardi, ‘Plurilingualism sub specie aeternitatis and the Strategies of a Minority Author’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 133–49, p. 21.
Lombardi, Elena. 2010. ‘Plurilingualism sub specie aeternitatis and the Strategies of a Minority Author’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 133–49
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Lombardi 2010: 21).
Ginzburg, Carlo, ‘Dante’s Blind Spot (Inferno XVI-XVII)’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 150–63
First footnote reference:35 Carlo Ginzburg, ‘Dante’s Blind Spot (Inferno XVI-XVII)’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 150–63, p. 21.
Ginzburg, Carlo. 2010. ‘Dante’s Blind Spot (Inferno XVI-XVII)’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 150–63
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Ginzburg 2010: 21).
Pertile, Lino, ‘“Trasmutabile per tutte guise”: Dante in the Comedy’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 164–78
First footnote reference:35 Lino Pertile, ‘“Trasmutabile per tutte guise”: Dante in the Comedy’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 164–78, p. 21.
Pertile, Lino. 2010. ‘“Trasmutabile per tutte guise”: Dante in the Comedy’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 164–78
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Pertile 2010: 21).
Cestaro, Gary, ‘Is Ulysses Queer? The Subject of Greek Love in Inferno XV and XXVI’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 179–92
First footnote reference:35 Gary Cestaro, ‘Is Ulysses Queer? The Subject of Greek Love in Inferno XV and XXVI’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 179–92, p. 21.
Cestaro, Gary. 2010. ‘Is Ulysses Queer? The Subject of Greek Love in Inferno XV and XXVI’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 179–92
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Cestaro 2010: 21).
Southerden, Francesca, ‘Lost for Words: Recuperating Melancholy Subjectivity in Dante’s Eden’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 193–210
First footnote reference:35 Francesca Southerden, ‘Lost for Words: Recuperating Melancholy Subjectivity in Dante’s Eden’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 193–210, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Southerden, p. 47.
Southerden, Francesca. 2010. ‘Lost for Words: Recuperating Melancholy Subjectivity in Dante’s Eden’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 193–210
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Southerden 2010: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Southerden 2010: 21.
Gragnolati, Manuele, ‘(In-)Corporeality, Language, Performance in Dante’s Vita Nuova and Commedia’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 211–22
First footnote reference:35 Manuele Gragnolati, ‘(In-)Corporeality, Language, Performance in Dante’s Vita Nuova and Commedia’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 211–22, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Gragnolati, p. 47.
Gragnolati, Manuele. 2010. ‘(In-)Corporeality, Language, Performance in Dante’s Vita Nuova and Commedia’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 211–22
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gragnolati 2010: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Gragnolati 2010: 21.
Fortuna, Sara, and Gragnolati, Manuele, ‘Dante After Wittgenstein: “Aspetto’, Language, and Subjectivity from Convivio to Paradiso’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 223–48
First footnote reference:35 Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati, ‘Dante After Wittgenstein: “Aspetto’, Language, and Subjectivity from Convivio to Paradiso’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 223–48, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Fortuna and Gragnolati, p. 47.
Fortuna, Sara, and Gragnolati, Manuele. 2010. ‘Dante After Wittgenstein: “Aspetto’, Language, and Subjectivity from Convivio to Paradiso’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 223–48
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Fortuna and Gragnolati 2010: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Fortuna and Gragnolati 2010: 21.
Epilogue: Riscrivere Dante in un’altra lingua. Conversazione con Giorgio Pressburger su Nel regno oscuro Emma Bond, Manuele Gragnolati, Anna Laura Lepschy, Giorgio Pressburger
Bond, Emma, Gragnolati, Manuele, Lepschy, Anna Laura, and Pressburger, Giorgio, ‘Epilogue: Riscrivere Dante in un’altra lingua. Conversazione con Giorgio Pressburger su Nel regno oscuro’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 249–66
First footnote reference:35 Emma Bond, Manuele Gragnolati, Anna Laura Lepschy, Giorgio Pressburger, ‘Epilogue: Riscrivere Dante in un’altra lingua. Conversazione con Giorgio Pressburger su Nel regno oscuro’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), pp. 249–66, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Bond, Gragnolati, Lepschy, and Pressburger, p. 47.
Bond, Emma, Gragnolati, Manuele, Lepschy, Anna Laura, and Pressburger, Giorgio. 2010. ‘Epilogue: Riscrivere Dante in un’altra lingua. Conversazione con Giorgio Pressburger su Nel regno oscuro’, in Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 249–66
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Bond, Gragnolati, Lepschy, and Pressburger 2010: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Bond, Gragnolati, Lepschy, and Pressburger 2010: 21.
Fortuna, Sara, Manuele Gragnolati, and Jürgen Trabant (eds), Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010)
First footnote reference:35Dante's Plurilingualism: Authority, Knowledge, Subjectivity, ed. by Sara Fortuna, Manuele Gragnolati and Jürgen Trabant (Cambridge: Legenda, 2010), p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Fortuna, Gragnolati, and Trabant, p. 47.
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