New Books in Literary Studies Julie Singer, "Out of the Mouths of Babes: Infant Voices in Medieval French Literature" (U Chicago Press, 2025)
Jul 5, 2025
Julie Singer, a Professor at Washington University of St. Louis, delves into the captivating world of infant voices in medieval French literature. She explores the profound questions surrounding personhood and the significance of speech as a human trait. Through various texts, Julie links medieval insights on childhood to modern themes like gender and language. She discusses fetal voices and the moral dilemmas of existence, as well as the societal implications of children's testimonies. This intriguing analysis showcases how these voices challenge power dynamics and notions of justice.
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Discovery of Talking Toddlers
- Julie Singer first noticed talking toddlers in medieval fablios during graduate school and kept the idea for decades.
- Her personal experience with her own children inspired deeper curiosity about medieval portrayals of infant speech.
Fetal Development and Ensoulment
- Medieval writers saw fetal development as a gradual process linked to ensoulment and rationality.
- This nuanced view complicates medieval perspectives on when life and personhood begin.
Baby Cries as Proto-Language
- Medieval writers debated the communicative meaning of baby cries, attributing them deeper semiotic significance.
- Infant speech bridged the gap between animal-like existence and human language, defining personhood.
