Language, Formulae, and Carolingian Reforms: The Case of the Alemannic Charters from St Gall

Carolingian reforms significantly impacted literacy and script development in early medieval Alemannia, as evidenced by the linguistic analysis of over 800 Alemannic charters from St Gall. The study reveals that while 'Merovingian' Latin features in these documents often stemmed from common formulae rather than vernacular influence, certain charters showed clear signs of vernacular interference, particularly early Romance or Germanic idioms. This suggests a nuanced relationship between written Latin and spoken languages during this period. The research also highlights the scarcity of actual vernacular words in the charters, providing insights into the spread of literacy and script evolution. By distinguishing between monastic and non-monastic scribes, the study offers a detailed picture of institutional versus local literacy practices.

Zeller, B. (2020). Language, Formulae, and Carolingian Reforms: The Case of the Alemannic Charters from St Gall. The Languages of Early Medieval Charters, 154–187. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004432338_006