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Article published In: Latin Grammars in Transition, 1200 - 1600
Edited by Anneli Luhtala and Mark E. Amsler
[Historiographia Linguistica 44:2/3] 2017
► pp. 306–330

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Articles / Aufätze

William of Champeaux (c.1070–1121), the Glosulae on Priscian and the Notae Dunelmenses

 | CNRS | Paris Diderot | EPHE
 | CNRS | Paris Diderot
Published online: 28 May 2018
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https://doi.org/10.1075/hl.00006.gro
Summary
William of Champeaux taught the arts of language, grammar, dialectic and rhetoric at the beginning of the 12th century. Abelard who studied with him often quotes and discusses the opinions of “his master”. The different versions of the Glosulae Super Priscianum Maiorem, Glosulae Super Priscianum Minorem and the Notae Dunelmenses, five sets of “notes” on Priscian (three on Priscian major, and two on Priscian minor), to which are added “notes” on Cicero’s De inventione, testify to the grammatical teachings of William and his influence. We first present the arguments that allow us to identify William’s teachings in these texts. Secondly, we expound Williams’ views of the meaning of the noun, verb, substantival verb and the consignifying parts of speech, as well as Abelard’s reactions to his views. These discussions involve a few logico-linguistic problems depending on a quarrel between realism and nominalism.
Article outline
  • 1. The Glosulae and the Notae Dunelmenses in their context
    • 1.1State of the art
    • 1.2The Durham manuscript
    • 1.3A network of texts
    • 1.4Schools and masters
  • 2.Some doctrinal questions
    • 2.1Grammar, logic, and rhetoric
    • 2.2The ‘G. Principle’ and the distinction between substantial and accidental signification
    • 2.3Exegetical principles
    • 2.4Realist theories of universals
    • 2.5Naming substance and signifying quality
    • 2.6The meaning of the verb and of the substantive verb
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (56)
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2024.  La <em>Summa super Priscianum minorem</em> de Petrus Helias (<em>ca.</em> 1140): tradición e innovación. Florentia Iliberritana 34 ► pp. 165 ff. DOI logo

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