Silence and Sign Language in Medieval Monasticism - The Cluniac Tradition, c.900-1200 (Hardcover)

Silence and Sign Language in Medieval Monasticism explores the rationales for religious silence in early medieval abbeys and the use of nonverbal forms of communication among monks when rules of silence forbade them from speaking. After examining the spiritual benefits of personal silence as a form of protection against the perils of sinful discourse in early monastic thought, this work shows how the monks of the Abbey of Cluny (founded in 910 in Burgundy) were the first to employ a silent language of meaning-specific hand signs that allowed them to convey precise information without recourse to spoken words. Scott Bruce discusses the linguistic character of the Cluniac sign language, its central role in the training of novices, the precautions taken to prevent its abuse, and the widespread adoption of this custom in other abbeys throughout Europe, which resulted in the creation of regionally-specific idioms of this silent language.

General

Imprint:	Cambridge UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series
Release date:	October 2007
First published:	2007
Authors:	Scott G. Bruce
Dimensions:	236 x 160 x 19mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	226
ISBN-13:	978-0-521-86080-2
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > Humanities > History > European history > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > Christian communities & monasticism Books > History > European history > General Books > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > Christian communities & monasticism Books > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > Christian communities & monasticism
LSN:	0-521-86080-6
Barcode:	9780521860802

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