A clear, scholarly look at how syntax shapes how Old French reduces case.
This monograph surveys the syntactical factors behind case reduction in Old French, focusing on how structure influences form over purely phonetic or inflectional patterns. It offers a rigorous, example-rich treatment aimed at readers with interest in historical linguistics and Old French.
The work emphasizes syntactical influences and preserves a strong focus on the early stages of the study, laying out the scope and approach before drawing conclusions. It draws on a wide range of textual material and discusses how forms shift in relation to usage, with attention to what such shifts reveal about underlying grammar.
- Explanation of how syntax can drive case reduction in Old French.
- Discussion of the interaction between Latin forms and later French developments.
- Representative examples drawn from charters and other texts to illustrate the phenomena.
- Comments on methodology and how evidence is selected and classified.
Ideal for readers of historical linguistics, Old French studies, and researchers exploring the roots of case marking in Romance languages.