Der Vokalismus des Vulgärlateins

This three-volume work, Der Vokalismus des Vulgärlateins, explores the evolution of Vulgar Latin and its distinct vowel changes across Romance languages.

This comprehensive three-volume series by Hugo Schuchardt, first published between 1866 and 1868, delves into the evolution of Vulgar Latin, the everyday language of the masses, contrasting it with the classical literary forms. Schuchardt meticulously examines the unique vowel transformations that occurred within Romance vernaculars over the centuries, highlighting the linguistic shifts that shaped these languages. His work stands out not only for its depth but also for its innovative approach to understanding language change.

Hugo Schuchardt, a prominent German linguist, made notable contributions to the study of both Basque and Romance languages, and he also explored pidgins and creoles. A critic of the Neogrammarian hypothesis, he favored the 'wave model' of linguistic evolution. His influential work, Über die Lautgesetze: Gegen die Junggrammatiker (1885), has been reissued alongside Die Verwantschaftsverhältnisse der indogermanischen Sprachen (1872) by Johannes Schmidt. The present three-volume work, based on Schuchardt's doctoral dissertation, showcases his rigorous examination of historical sources and sets a foundation for future studies in the field.

Volume 3, published in 1868, serves as a supplement to the first two volumes, offering corrections and additional insights. Der Vokalismus des Vulgärlateins is a pioneering work that not only traces the history of Vulgar Latin but also establishes a new framework for understanding the Romance languages, making it an essential read for linguists and historians alike.