This volume treats aspects of speaking in the Middle Ages, as evident in historical documents and literary texts. The volume is divided into two parts. In the first part, the general role of speaking in society and literature is discussed. In the second part, closer analysis of how literary characters actually speak is offered. The essays offer both analysis of lesser known texts and new insight into several classical works within several European literary traditions. These essays will interest scholars of linguistics, particularly sociolinguistics, and medieval literature and culture.

Contributors include: Lourdes Albuixech, Laurel Broughton, Albrecht Classen, Jean E. Godsall-Myers, Carol Harvey, Bettina Lindorfer, Andrea Schutz, and Thomas Shippey.

Contributions by: Amy Hirschfeld