Gothic language was associated to the Arian Church in both early Visigothic Spain and Ostrogothic Italy. However, the conversion of the first to Nicene Christianity and the conquest of the second by the Byzantines sealed the fate of the Gothic language in Western Europe.
However, in other circumstances could have Gothic language replaced Latin as the prestige language in Western Europe?
Maybe if:
- Visigoths keep Southern Gaul and stop the expansion of the Franks.
- Neither Visigoths nor Ostrogoths convert to Nicene Christianity and Gothic remains as the liturgical language of Arian Church.
- Latin is more strongly attached to Nicene identity and pressed negatively by both Gothic administrations.
- Obviously the Byzantines does not conquer Ostrogothic Italy; ideally also Vandals and Gepids survive and adopt Gothic as liturgical language
- Other minor Germanic kingdoms also stay or convert to Arian Christianity and adopt Gothic as liturgical language.
I am not asking for Latin/Romance languages to be replaced at population level, just at the administration, liturgical, elite levels (but maybe if this situation is prolonged in time, 'vulgar' Gothic might penetrate at popular level, even if partially or in bilingual situation).
However, in other circumstances could have Gothic language replaced Latin as the prestige language in Western Europe?
Maybe if:
- Visigoths keep Southern Gaul and stop the expansion of the Franks.
- Neither Visigoths nor Ostrogoths convert to Nicene Christianity and Gothic remains as the liturgical language of Arian Church.
- Latin is more strongly attached to Nicene identity and pressed negatively by both Gothic administrations.
- Obviously the Byzantines does not conquer Ostrogothic Italy; ideally also Vandals and Gepids survive and adopt Gothic as liturgical language
- Other minor Germanic kingdoms also stay or convert to Arian Christianity and adopt Gothic as liturgical language.
I am not asking for Latin/Romance languages to be replaced at population level, just at the administration, liturgical, elite levels (but maybe if this situation is prolonged in time, 'vulgar' Gothic might penetrate at popular level, even if partially or in bilingual situation).
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