Metalinguistic Texts

Abstract

Abstract As French replaced Latin as the language of administration and the law and became the language of a burgeoning literature and eventually of education, scholars and other members of the social elite defined the linguistic limits of supposedly acceptable usage in metalinguistic texts: orthographic treatises, guides to pronunciation, grammars, dictionaries, and commentaries on the language. Creating a standard language was considered a necessary step in making French equal to the classical languages, a language of empire, a prestigious language of courtly society, and ultimately, of a functioning republic. These texts formalized the standard in pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, morphology, and syntax. The definition of usage has included geographic, social, historical, and philosophical criteria, varying according to the societal needs of each period. Although metalinguistic texts have moved towards democratization and an increased acknowledgement—and tolerance—of variation, speakers themselves often reject variation and value adherence to a narrow norm.