ancient sources, middle Latin, litterae
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In the early period of humanism the discovery of ancient Greek and Latin sources was very influential. This does not mean that these sources were unknown before. 90 percent of the preserved ancient literature survived in Carolingian copies and 11-12th-century codices, which were hidden in the libraries of isolated monasteries. These had very little influence. It was the humanists' achievement that these codices were rediscovered, their texts were distributed in many copies, then after the invention of printing, they were published as well. As a result of the humanists' efforts a global knowledge was gained about ancient cultures, and this became the initiator of the new one.
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middle Latin
The development of the Latin language used in antiquity, which was called 'media Latinitas' (middle Latin[ism]) by the humanists. They praised 15th-century antique style norms, and for them middle Latin was the tarnished Latin of the age of the Merovings, full of elements from the vernacular. The linguistic period just before their period was the Latinitas' (new Latin[ism]), because of the clearing activity of linguists of the Carolingian age. Actually, in the period starting from the Carolingian age until the 12th century they intended to preserve the pureness of the language. The main theory they followed was that only those Latin words could be used which were used by ancient authors themselves. Then came the age of scholastic Latinism, when they accepted words derived in accordance with Latin derivational rules, so many new Latin expressions - mainly philosophical and legal terms - were born. The basis of medieval Latin was teaching Latin at a later period, so spoken language (vulgar Latin) and school Latin became mixed in a strongly rhetoric form. Owing to this fact middle Latin did not use many participles, and this is why it was thought to be easier to understand. In spite of this fact we need special dictionaries to understand it, since a lot of Hebrew and Greek words and forms were used in connection with Christianity and the Bible. Besides these the ancient meaning of many words and expressions were changed (for example, fides = loyalty, in the Middle Ages 'belief'). As the role of short-long syllables was taken over by stress, ancient style norms were changed, too. In poetry stressed verses became dominant, in prose sentences ended with rhymes until the end of the 12th century, and from this time on rhythmic prose became influential. Middle Latin was a developing spoken language, which was understood by many people. Although it was not really used in everyday conversations, educated literary language and spoken language remained connected through this specific language. When humanists thought that real Latin was the language of antiquity they limited spoken Latin, and tore it from the linguistic ideals of literature, and this was reason why Latin became a dead language according to the modern view.
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litterae (literature)
During the age of humanism it meant not only literature - like today - but it also included all sciences, such as natural sciences and obscure sciences such as astrology and chiromancy.
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