Ci/vi locativo nelle stesure dei Promessi sposi di A. Manzoni

Abstract

The paper analyzes a well-known but not extensively researched morphosyntatctic phenomenon, which will be illustrated in three of A. Manzoni's novels. We will reveal the regularity in the changing frequency of ci/vi locatives in the texts. The shift in the distribution of clitics among the three major functions of locatives is investigated as the possible reason for the prevalent use of the locative ci. We also demonstrate that although the spread of ci is a general phenomenon, it influences the functions to a different degree. In order to provide a better understanding of the background of these changes, three playwrights from the 14/15th centuries are introduced. Their works were among the readings of Manzoni, thus they could have an effect on his language model and also on the spread of ci.