Blackletter
Out of context: Reply #8
- Started
- Last post
- 12 Responses
- Witt0
ok I searched my old stuff. Existing references cannot explain why the adjective "black" was applied to a form of writing, since most of known forms of writing was compact and done in black). However, most scholars agree that "black" may have had a pejorative sense as a lower form of writing. Technically, the gothic language and writing was developed in Eastern Europe (= Checz Republic) and Iberia by the Ostrogoths and the Visigoths, which adopted the Roman Church but used the uncial (French script) to relate to the people. White/Black = higher and lower forms of Latin may explain why "black" was coined (in England) to refer the gothic script. The association between gothic and blackness still prevails today - and it's mostly from Roman origin meaning a darker, barbaric way.
(this is all I know).
- a friend of mine -who teaches literatue- is usually called "Gótica" by her pupils. She usually dresses black.Witt