Re: Romance or Romanic?

On Mon, 9 Aug 1999, R G Roberts wrote:

> I see references constantly being made to the "Romance" languages and I
> know this is traditional but wouldn't "Romanic" be a more apt expression
> nowadays? "Romance" is English means something completely differnt
> meaning but "Romanic" properly reflects the fact that they are derived
> from the dialects *based on Roman* spoken in different parts of the then
> Roman Empire. And, incidentally, of course, there were other Italic
> languages e.g. Lepotic which were eclipsed by the rising tide of the
> Roman language and all the Italic languages - Roman included - go back
> to the Celto-Italic group of languages from which they all originated.
> Does anyone have any knowledge of these other Italic languages and the
> extent to which they varied from Roman by any chance? It woud be
> interesting.
I've read that Lepontic is Celtic, but can't verify.  I've only ever been
able to find one short text: Lathumarui Saphsuthaipe uinom Nashom, which
was given the translation Naxos wine for Latumaros and Sapsta.

I was taught that there was some kind of Italo-Celtic group as well; but
we didn't go into details.  I was never sure if this was a "done deal" or
merely a theory.

Padraic.

>
> Richy Roberts
>