Omission of final -s in Latin inscriptions: Time and space

The paper focuses on the omission of final -s in Latin inscriptions found in the corpus CLaSSES (Corpus for Latin Sociolinguistic Studies on Epigraphic textS, http://classes-latin-linguistics.fileli.unipi.it) from 350 bc till 50 ad. The distribution of final -s has been examined in the endings of the second declension with respect to several variables, such as the dating and the place of provenance of the inscription. The results show that the restoration of the grapheme spread from Rome starting from the mid-third century bc, when the city was the political and economic centre of the conquered territories. Therefore, the Latin of Rome was perceived as prestigious by Roman citizens. The process of -s restoration was completed by the mid-first century bc and appears to be strictly related with the raising o > u in final syllable. Therefore, the omissions of final -s found in inscriptions outside Rome in the second and first century bc can be considered to be residuals of the ancient pronunciation in areas not yet completely reached by the innovation, whereas in Rome they can be considered as forms of a low sociolinguistic level. © The authors 2018. Transactions of the Philological Society