Silence and Sign Language in Medieval Monasticism: The Cluniac Tradition, c.900–1200 (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series, Series Number 68)

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. Cover 1 Half-title 3 Series-title 4 Title 5 Copyright 6 Dedication 7 Contents 9 Tables 10 Acknowledgments 11 Note on Latin words and biblical citations 13 Abbreviations 14 Introduction: The Dormant Language 17 Chapter 1 Uttering No Human Sound 29 Coelestis Disciplina 31 Set a Watchman to My Mouth 44 The Tongue is a Fire 53 Guards and Wards 62 Conclusion 67 Chapter 2 The Training of the Hand 69 From Signal to Sign 71 Imagination and Resemblance 79 Signs for the Shadow Monks 82 Conclusion 89 Chapter 3 A Silent Commerce of Signs 93 Signs for Sustenance 95 Signs for Apparel 99 Signs for the Divine Office 102 Sign Language and Community 106 Conclusion 112 Chapter 4 Transmission and Adaptation 114 Fleury (The Abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire) 117 Canterbury (Christ Church Cathedral) 124 Hirsau (The Monastery of St. Peter and Paul) 134 Conclusion 140 Chapter 5 Continuity and Criticism 159 Benedict’s Heirs 160 The Cruelty of Silence 168 The Whisperers With God 173 The Signs of the Cenobites 177 Conclusion 185 Conclusion 187 Appendix A The Cluniac Sign Lexicon 193 Let me set down some things concerning these signs, by grace of the word, and first, those pertaining to food 193 Concerning those signs pertaining to clothing 194 Concerning those signs pertaining especially to the divine office 195 Now a variety of signs concerning people and other things and events 196 Bibliography 199 Primary sources 199 Secondary sources 204 Index 222 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 Show 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.--jacket. Introduction: The Dormant Language -- Uttering No Human Sound -- The Training Of The Hand -- A Silent Commerce Of Signs -- Transmission And Adaptation -- Continuity And Criticism -- Conclusion. Scott G. Bruce. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 183-205) And Index.