Macaronic Latin (or macaroni Latin) is an old term used for various sorts of adulturated Latin.
Sometimes, the phrase is used for a jumbled jargon made up of vernacular words given Latin endings, or Latin words mixed with the vernacular in a sort of pastiche; compare dog Latin. The writing of humorous verse and prose for satirical purposes in macaroni Latin became a fad in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, particularly in Italian.
Similarly, Macaronic verse refers to poetry written in more than one language, most frequently a mixture of the local vernacular and Latin. It was especially popular with non-liturgical carols of the middle ages.
As an example of macaronic verse, consider the first stanza of the famous carol In Dulci Jubilo:
Original text
In dulci jubilo, Nun singet und seid froh! Alle unsre Wonne Liegt in praesepio; Sie leuchtet wie die Sonne Matris in gremio. Alpha es et O!
English translation
In sweet rejoicing, now sing and be glad! All our joy lies in the manger; it shines like the sun in the mother's lap. You are the alpha and omega!
The Roman text is in German; the italicised in Latin. (In this example, there is a hint of a third language, in the Greek letters mentioned in the last line.)
MacaronicLatin (or macaroni Latin) is an old term used for various sorts of adulturated Latin.
The writing of humorous verse and prose for satirical purposes in macaroni Latin became a fad in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, particularly in Italian.
The Roman text is in German; the italicised in Latin.
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