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Macaronic




One particular form is Macaronic Latin, a term for various sorts of adulterated Latin . The phrase is used for a jumbled Jargon made up of vernacular words given Latin endings, or for Latin words mixed with the vernacular in a Pastiche (compare Dog Latin ). The writing of Humorous texts for Satirical purposes in Macaronic Latin became a fad in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries , particularly in Italian . One important and unusual example of what could be considered a Macaronic text is the Hypnerotomachia of 1499 , which was basically written using Italian syntax and morphology, but using a made-up vocabulary based on roots from Latin, Greek , and occasionally others.

Macaronic text remains an interest of modern Italian authors. For instance, macaronic language appears in the works of Carlo Emilio Gadda ; Umberto Eco (Salvatore in The Name Of The Rose , and the peasant hero of Baudolino ); and Dario Fo (whose Mistero Buffo - "''Comic Mystery Play''" - features Grammelot sketches using language with macaronic elements).

Macaronic verse similarly refers to poetry written in more than one language, most frequently a mixture of the local Vernacular and Latin . It was especially popular with non-liturgical Carols of the Middle Ages . An example is the first stanza of the famous carol " In Dulci Jubilo ":





Original text


''In dulci jubilo,''

Nun singet und seid froh!

Alle unsre Wonne

Liegt ''in praesepio;''

Sie leuchtet wie die Sonne

''Matris in gremio.''

''Alpha es et O!''



English translation


In sweet rejoicing,

now sing and be glad!

All our joy

lies in the manger;

It shines like the sun

in the mother's lap.

You are the Alpha And Omega !




The Roman text is in German ; the italicised in Latin (in this example, there is a hint of a third language, in the Greek letters mentioned in the last line).

Macaronic verse is especially common in cultures with widespread Bilingualism or Language Contact , such as Ireland before the middle of the nineteenth century. Macaronic traditional songs, such as " Siúil A Rúin " are quite common in Ireland.

Macaronic verse was also common in Medieval India , where the influence of the Muslim rulers led to poems being written alternatingly in indigenous medieval Hindi verse, followed by one in the Persian Language . This style was used by the famous poet Amir Khusro , and it also played a major role in the rise of the Urdu or Hindustani language.

English examples include "Maid of Athens" and ''Motor Bus'' [http://www.ealasaid.com/fan/classics/motorbus.html].


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