Transcript Italian Musical Loan Words - 2010 History of the English Language

Italian Musical Loan Words
97501022 Sharon Lien
Why are there so many musical
words came from Italian?
• Western music
began from Church
music. From 6
century Pope
Gregory I’s
Gregorian Chant,
Church had great
influence over music.
• Because early in the fourteen century,
people in Florence begin to used Italian
create their music works, and many early
musician in Renaissance are Italians.
Italian musical terms spread widely in
Europe.
• Mozart had use German to create his
works, but people think it was not elegant
since Italian is more similar to Latin. After
this tragedy, people all used Italian to
create music works.
Musical words originated from
Italian– 16 century
English
Italian origin
Meanings
Violin (1579)
violino
Literal: be joyful
Italian: diminutive of viola
Now: the smallest and
highest-pitched member of
the violin family
Duo (1590)
duo
Literal: two
Now: song for two voices
Musical words originated from
Italian– 17 century
English
Italian origin
Meanings
Opera (1646)
Opera musicale
Literal: a work (of music)
Now: a musical play in which
all of the words are sung
Piano (1683)
pianoforte
Literal: soft, loud
Now: soft, or
Concert (1665)
concerto
Literal: harmony, concert
Now: a performance given
by musicians or singers
Musical words originated from
Italian– 17 century
English
Italian Origin
Meanings
Sonata (1694)
sonata
Literal: sounded
Now: a piece of music with
three or four parts that is
written for a piano, or for a
piano and another
instrument
Solo (1695)
solo
Literal: alone
Now: piece of music for
one instrument or voice.
Musical words originated from
Italian– 18 century
English
Italian origin
Meanings
Tempo (1724)
tempo
Literal: time
Now: The speed of a piece
of music
Soprano (1730)
soprano
Literal: high; sopra: above
Now: the highest singing
voice
prima donna (1782)
Prima donna
Literal: first lady
Now: principal female
singer in an opera
Alto (1784) (in textbook
16c)
altus
Literal: high
Now: notes at the second
highest level, below a
soprano.
Bravo (1761)
brave
Literal: brave, bold
Now: splendid, valiant
Conclusion
• Since the early development in music, there
are many musical terms originated from Italy.
• Because music is still developing, there are
more and more musical terms that are not
from Italian.