Oral Interpretation of Latin Poetry: The Delight of Latin Aloud

This webinar, presented by Dr. Robert P. Sonkowsky, will explore Latin pronunciation and the linguistic theory behind it. Three main components will be explored over the two-hour webinar:

1. Background: pronunciation in Historical Linguistics. Evidence from ancient grammarians, inscriptions, etc., laid out by scholars such as Allen, Sturtevant, and Brittain. Practical comparisons throughout the history of Latin.
2. Oral performance of Latin masterpieces: ancient evidence, modern theory. See Sonkowsky's "Delivery in Ancient Rhetorical Theory," TAPA, 1959, but much more graphic evidence in Latin dramatic, lyric, epic poetry, e.g., Sonkowsky's "Tranio in Plautus' Mostellaria" in Comparative Drama, 1992.
3. Examples from today will be listened to. The class will be encouraged (but not required) to respond with their own oral reading of some lines. Modern theoretical underpinning: Ancient theory leads to Modern Stanisklavianism.

Download the handout SonkowskyArticleAudio.pdf here.