Speculations about the Potestas Litterarum in medieval grammar (11th through 13th centuries)
Estrella Pérez Rodríguez
Summary The aim of this paper is to study the concept potestas , one three ‘accidents’ ‘letters’ in Roman tradition. More specifically, it intends examine way which speculative grammarians from 11th 13th centuries dealt with speech sounds and issues were attached it. commentators beginning period mapped out route be followed attempt at a thorough explanation systematization Prisician’s adumbrations. To that purpose, they forged successful term modus pronunciandi classified into five types. This chapter was granted as much discussion any other: some concepts terminology Aristotelian universe employed (e.g., opposition substantial/accidental, potentiality/act). Nevertheless, remarkable differences between points view 12th-century those 13th-century have been observed, among them interest on part latter generation sound. In century, two works, anonymous Tractatus de grammatica John Dacus’s modistic Summa held for different reasons very particular position evolution doctrine . respect, influence former has noticed. With their speculations all these medieval succeded differentiating levels within realm sounds.
Historiographia Linguistica