Written reliquaries : the resonance of orality in medieval English texts / Leslie K. Arnovick.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Arnovick, Leslie K., 1957-

Series:

Pragmatics & beyond ; new ser., 153.

Pragmatics & beyond, 0922-842X ; new ser., 153

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Dialogue in literature.

Discourse analysis, Narrative--Social aspects.

Discourse analysis, Narrative.

English philology--Middle English, 1100-1500.

English philology.

Literature, Medieval--History and criticism--Theory, etc.

Literature, Medieval.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (309 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam ; Philadelphia : J. Benjamins, c2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Written Reliquaries: The resonance of orality in medieval English texts establishes the linguistic component of orality and oral tradition. The relics it examines are traces of spoken performance, artifacts of linguistic and cultural processes. Seven case studies animate verbal acts of making promises, quoting proverbs, pronouncing curses, speaking gibberish, praying Pater Nosters, invoking saints, and keeping silence. The study of their resonance is enabled by a methodological conjunction of historical pragmatics and oral theory. Insights from oral theory enlighten spoken traditions which in turn may be understood in the larger historical-pragmatic context of linguistic performance. The inquiry ranges across broad as well as narrow planes of reference to trace a complex set of cultural and linguistic interactions. In this way it reconstructs relevant discursive contexts, giving detailed accounts of underlying assumptions, traditions, and conventions. Doing so, the book demonstrates that an integrated methodology not only allows access to oral discourse in both Old English and Middle English but also provides insight into the fluid medieval interchange of literacy and orality.

Contents:

Written Reliquaries

Editorial page

Title page

LCC data

Table of contents

Acknowledgments

List of Figures

Preface

Chapter 1

Reconstructing Spoken Performance in Medieval Texts

A Joint Exploration in Oral Theory and Historical Pragmatics

Theoretical Framework: Oral Theory

Theoretical Framework: Historical Pragmatics

Methodology: Defining Textual Concepts

Methodology: Delineating Historical Data

Conclusion: A Joint Exploration in Oral Theory and Historical Pragmatics

Part I

Oral Relics in Old English

Chapter 2

Speaking Gibberish

Charms

Interpreting Gibberish

The Performativity of Gibberish

Word Magic

Sounds Like Authentic Gibberish to Me

The Functionality of Gibberish: Data from the Corpus of Charms

Spirit Code as a Continuum

Performative Gibberish: An Extended Example

Conclusion: "O ineffabile"

Chapter 3

Praying the Pater Noster

The Christian Conversion of a Folk Tradition: Anglo-Saxon Charms

The Functionality of the Pater Noster: Data from the Corpus of Charms

Baptism and Secrecy

Liturgical Tradition

Private Devotion and Personal Exigency

The Numinous

Conclusion: A Hybrid Rite

Chapter 4

Invoking Saints

Invoking Heavenly Help: Data from the Corpus of Charms

Traditional Referentiality

The Warrior Saint in Old English Poetry

The Fates of the Apostles

The Evangelists' Armor

Helen Recovers the Cross

The Old English Calendar Poem

Liturgy and the Calendar of Saints

The Litany of the Saints

Saints' Lives

Conclusion: Invoking Immanence

Chapter 5

Keeping Silence

Performative Silence: A Socio-Linguistic Theory of Non-Verbal Communication

A Biblical Mandate for Silence

The Monastic Discourse of Silence

Conclusion: Mystical Silence

Part II

Oral Relics in Middle English

Chapter 6.

Making Promises

Linguistic Contexts for Dorigen's Promise

Dorigen's Rejection: "Ne shal I nevere been untrewe wif"

Aurelius's Response: Flouting Conversational Principles

Convention versus Intention

Legal Contexts for Dorigen's Promise

Folkloric Contexts for Dorigen's Promise

Conclusion: Complicating, Contradicting, and Compromising Oralities

Chapter 7

Quoting Proverbs

The Matter of Orality

Oral Matter is "A ful confus matere"

(De-)Constructing Orality

Inscribing Permanence

Conclusion: When Art Can No Longer Be Pious

Chapter 8

Pronouncing Book Curses

Scribal Prophylaxis: The Custom of Cursing Readers

Warnings in the Form of Threats

The Voice Behind the Marginalia: Cursing as a Linguistic Institution

Words as Modes of Action: Cursing as a Cultural Institution

Cursing by the Book: A Medieval English Convention

Geffrey's Book Curse

Conclusion: A Meta-Linguistic Maneuver

Conclusion

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Notes

Bibliography

Index

The Pragmatics &amp

Beyond New Series.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786612154966

9781282154964

1282154966

9789027292841

9027292841

OCLC:

191952598