A WORD A DAY.

Southland Times, Issue 21577, 15 December 1931, Page 8

A WORD A DAY.

ROMANCE. Romance is an old French word for the “vernacular” or vulgar Latin of the provinces as opposed to the learned traditions of the schools. To fully appreciate it we must turn back to the ninth century, when important changes were taking place in the Latin language. Popular Latin mixed with foreign elements was becoming a new speech, and in this Lingua Romana were written the tales of chivalry, the lays of the Troubadpurs and Minniesingers. These compositions took to themselves the title of romances and later, any songs or stories of like nature, regardless of language retained the same appellation. Strange impossible adventures and surprising incidents characterize a romance. Likewise the mental tendency towards that which is chivalrous or mystical is sometimes called romance. To indulge in extravagant stories is to romance, which may be a euphemistic way of saying “to tell a falsehood.” There is but one correct way to pronounce this word, accenting the second syllable, romance. Sound the “o” as in obey, a as in am. “Romance” has no justification in English. “Arvantes’s *Don Quixote’ is one of the most delightful of romances.”