Los romances en la Baja Edad Media | Las lenguas romances. Una introducción a su historia

Introduction to the Session

Opening Remarks

• Thanked attendees for their presence and expressed hope that this session would be as engaging as previous ones.

• Acknowledged those watching via the Colegio Nacional channels and thanked the administrative secretary, organizers, and technical team.

Romances in the Middle Ages

Overview of Roman Influence

• Introduced the topic of romances during the medieval period, building on previous discussions about the Romance territory and Latin characteristics.

The Importance of Writing

• Emphasized that Roman civilization, influenced by Ancient Greece, is foundational to Western culture; writing was crucial for its transmission.

Oral vs Written Language

• Noted that human language began with oral traditions; most languages today remain unwritten. Writing enhances communication across generations and preserves experiences.

The Role of Writing in Society

Transmission of Experience

• Discussed how writing expands communication capabilities over time and space, allowing societies to preserve valuable events through written records.

Awareness of Latin Script

• Mentioned that while many people in Romania were familiar with Latin script from inscriptions (e.g., milestones), few could read or write it fluently.

Cultural Practices in Roman Society

Development of Written Traditions

• Described how Roman culture established writing traditions for history, mythology, law, poetry, and philosophy; these were essential for societal functions like contracts.

Example: Contracts in Oviedo

• Presented a historical contract from 887 AD in Oviedo showcasing early Romance Latin used for legal transactions involving property sales. The text illustrates linguistic evolution towards Romance languages.

Emergence of Romance Languages

Transition from Latin to Romance

• Highlighted examples showing separation from late popular Latin towards early forms of Romance languages between the 10th and 12th centuries through various texts like contracts and sermons.

Early Textual Evidence

• Cited "Omilias de Orgañá," one of the first texts in Catalan romance, demonstrating religious discourse's adaptation into written form during this period. Included a fragment illustrating its content and structure.

The Role of Catalan Romance in Historical Context

Introduction to Catalan Romance

• The text discusses the significance of a Catalan romance, highlighting that some words may be familiar to the audience. It emphasizes the translation of the gospel, illustrating Christ's suffering for humanity as a means to save us from evil.

Historical Significance of Orgañá Homilies

• The Orgañá homilies are identified as one of the oldest written documents in Catalan romance, specifically noting a sermon from Quinquagesima Sunday. Historically, priests would select sermons from a book for their congregation.

Understanding Discursive Traditions

• The speaker explains "tradición discursiva," which encompasses various forms of discourse we encounter today—such as newspaper articles, sermons, and political speeches—indicating their natural presence in our reading experiences.

• These discursive forms are not spontaneous; they have been shaped and passed down through education over time. This evolution creates what is known as discursive traditions.

Educational Implications

• A crucial role of language classes is highlighted: teaching children to understand and navigate cultural discursive traditions. This education fosters independent thinking and personal growth.

• Without educating children on these types of discourse, they remain closed off from broader perspectives—a responsibility emphasized for educators to address.

Cultural Influences on Literature

• The discussion transitions into epic tales like "La Chanson de Roland," detailing Roldán's defense during Charlemagne's retreat from Spain against Muslim forces at Roncesvalles.

Textual Analysis: Epic Poetry

• A fragment from "La Chanson de Roland" is presented alongside its modern French version and Spanish translation, showcasing linguistic continuity since the 12th century.

• The narrative describes Roldán’s valor with his sword Durandarte amidst battle scenes filled with vivid imagery of bloodshed and heroism.

Legacy of Epic Narratives

• References are made to historical figures like Oliveros and their legendary swords, indicating how these narratives contributed to new discursive traditions spreading across regions such as Galia (Gaul).

• In Spain, early romances like "El Cantar de Mio Cid" emerged around 1140 AD, marking significant milestones in literature with notable lines reflecting societal sentiments about leadership and loyalty.

Influence of Arabic Poetry

• Margaret Frank’s work highlights how Arabic poetic forms influenced early Romance poetry in Europe. Mughwashahas are cited as evidence of this cross-cultural literary exchange dating back to at least the 9th century.

Exploring the Evolution of Love in Medieval Poetry

The Concept of Love in Early Literature

• The discussion begins with a reference to a refrain from the 13th to 14th centuries, highlighting the theme of love, particularly among women. A translation reveals sentiments of dying for love and losing a friend due to madness.

• Another example is presented through a Galician-Portuguese cantiga that expresses longing and questions about delays from a friend, showcasing how these themes resonate even today.

The Role of Juglares and Trovadores

• The evolution of Spanish literature is traced back to juglares (minstrels), who entertained people across regions since the 6th century, laying the groundwork for epic poetry traditions.

• By the 12th century, trovadores emerged as an aristocratic version of juglares, creating courtly love poetry characterized by ritualistic relationships between knights and ladies.

Characteristics of Courtly Love

• Courtly love was not romantic in today's sense but rather akin to chivalric tournaments. It involved knights serving their ladies with fidelity outside marriage, often appreciated by their wives.

• This form of love could be both spiritual and carnal; examples include Reimbaud de Vaqueiras' works that illustrate this duality within Aquitanian culture.

Analysis of "Calenda Maya"

• A specific poem titled "Calenda Maya" by Reimbaud de Vaqueiras is introduced. Its preservation allows modern audiences to appreciate its lyrical beauty alongside reconstructed music from historical instruments.

• An excerpt from "Calenda Maya" emphasizes that nothing pleases the speaker more than receiving heartfelt messages from his lady, encapsulating themes central to courtly love.

Multilingualism in Poetry

• Reimbaud's multilingual poem showcases his ability to write in various Romance languages, reflecting cultural exchanges across medieval Europe and illustrating poetic virtuosity.

• The discussion concludes with insights into how troubadours traversed Europe reciting poems while emphasizing that Romance languages were not yet seen as distinct entities but rather variations within a shared linguistic heritage.

Development of the Sonnet and Its Historical Context

Origins of the Dolce Stil Novo

• The poetic movement known as Dolce Stil Novo emerged from the Occitan troubadour tradition in Italy, emphasizing spiritual love over physical desire.

The First Sonnet

• The first sonnet is credited to Dalentini, marking a significant development in poetic form that later influenced poets like Dante and Petrarch.

Translation Insights

• A translation of an early sonnet reveals its themes: devotion to God, longing for paradise, and the pain of separation from a beloved lady.

Differentiation of Romance Languages

• By the 12th century, troubadours began recognizing distinctions among Romance languages, leading to a more nuanced approach in poetry composition.

Raymond Vidal's Contributions

• Troubadour Raymond Vidal emphasized using specific languages for poetry; he argued against mixing dialects when composing songs or verses.

Cultural Interactions and Linguistic Developments

Emergence of Lingua Franca

• The term "lingua franca" likely originates from Arabic, referring to mixed speech forms developed during Crusader interactions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Crusades and Language Fluidity

• The Crusades prompted diverse linguistic exchanges as nobles from various regions communicated while seeking to reclaim holy sites.

Notable Figures: Richard the Lionheart

• Richard the Lionheart's background illustrates these cultural exchanges; although often considered English, he was born in Aquitaine and played a pivotal role in crusading efforts.

The Influence of Historical Narratives and Lingua Franca

Historical Context in Literature

• The narrative surrounding King Richard, as depicted in films and literature, often revolves around his quest to reclaim the throne, aided by figures like Robin Hood. This portrayal is rooted in works by Sir Walter Scott.

• Walter Scott's contributions also include stories such as "Ivanhoe" and various versions of the Knights of the Round Table, reflecting a blend of historical and fictional elements.

Emergence of Lingua Franca

• A text from Fusche de Chartres (12th century) highlights the transformation of identities among people who were once Western but became Eastern, illustrating linguistic shifts influenced by trade and cultural exchanges.

• The lingua franca served as a simplified communication tool among diverse groups, characterized by minimal grammar and an essential vocabulary that included nautical terms from various cultures.

Examples of Linguistic Variations

• Specific phrases illustrate how lingua franca incorporated unique grammatical structures; for instance, using infinitive forms instead of conjugated verbs reflects its practical nature.

• An excerpt from a theatrical work demonstrates how sailors used these phrases to communicate effectively while rowing on galleys, emphasizing rhythm in their songs for coordination.

Cultural Significance

• Sailors sang liturgies during their voyages to maintain rhythm while rowing. These chants are valuable historical documents that provide insight into maritime culture.

• A 17th-century example shows how Arabic influences persisted within the lingua franca context, highlighting its adaptability based on speakers' needs.

Decline and Misconceptions about Lingua Franca

• By the 18th century, traditional lingua franca began to fade; however, any mixed language is now often referred to as such. The misconception that English serves universally as a lingua franca is addressed here.

• Unlike true lingua franca forms which arise from necessity without fixed rules or vocabulary, English retains distinct grammatical structures when learned alongside other languages like Spanish.

Regional Language Developments

• In Western Romania, Romance languages evolved distinctly from Latin due to Slavic invasions; this contrasts with Eastern Romania where Greek influence persisted under Byzantine power.

• The decline of Latin influence led to reduced use of Romance languages in regions like Dacia. Evangelization efforts contributed to adopting Cyrillic script over Latin alphabet usage for Romanian language development.

This structured overview captures key discussions regarding historical narratives related to King Richard and Robin Hood while exploring the emergence and evolution of lingua franca across different cultures and time periods.

Cyrillic Text and the Loss of Latin Heritage

The Challenge of Deciphering Cyrillic

• The inability to read Cyrillic can lead to a loss of connection with Latin heritage, particularly for Romance language speakers like Romanians.

Historical Linguistic Dynamics in Dalmacia

• In Dalmacia, various Slavic groups dominated different regions: Slovenes in the north, Croats along the coast, Serbs in central areas, and Montenegrins in the south. This region became part of the Slavic sphere.

Influence of Conquerors on Language Evolution

• Sicily transitioned from being part of Magna Graecia to experiencing Arab, Byzantine, and Norman occupations. Under Norman rule by Roger II in the 12th century, Sicilian romance began to emerge.

The Evolution of Romance Languages

Distinctiveness Among Romance Languages

• By the late Middle Ages, languages like Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, French, and Italian were recognized as distinct despite their common Latin roots.

Understanding Regional Dialects

• During the 9th to 13th centuries, variations within Latin were seen merely as dialectal differences rather than separate languages. People could easily understand each other across these dialects.

The Role of Juglares and Trovadores

Audience Engagement with Juglares

• Juglares performed for common folk using everyday language; they entertained through poetry and storytelling while seeking monetary support from their audiences.

Cultural Significance of Performance Arts

• Juglares engaged communities by performing epic poems about heroes like Charlemagne or El Cid. Their improvisational skills helped keep historical narratives alive through oral tradition.

Trovadores: Noble Poets

Characteristics of Trovador Poetry

• Trovadores typically came from noble backgrounds and sang love poems dedicated to ladies (courtly love), often performing both at courts and public gatherings.

Modern Parallels in Improvisation

• Contemporary performances echo medieval traditions where singers improvise verses during festivals or competitions—similar dynamics existed between juglares and trovadores historically.

Understanding Lingua Franca and Language Communication

The Use of Infinitives in Communication

• The speaker discusses how, when communicating with foreigners who do not speak Spanish, people often resort to using infinitives. This is due to the fear that conjugated verbs may not be understood.

• This method of communication resembles a rudimentary form of speech, akin to "Tarzan" language, where only essential verbs and nouns are used for clarity.

• In their native communities, speakers utilize full grammatical structures; however, they simplify their language when interacting with non-native speakers.

Historical Context of Lingua Franca

• The speaker explains that during historical interactions (e.g., Crusades), soldiers communicated in their native languages but relied on lingua franca for basic communication among diverse groups.

• Modern parallels are drawn with sailors who switch ships based on needs or preferences, suggesting that this practice continues today.

Language Classification: English and German

• A question arises regarding whether English and German are Romance languages. The speaker clarifies that both belong to the Germanic language family.

• The origins of English trace back to Saxon tribes from present-day Poland who migrated to England, bringing their Germanic languages.

Influences on the English Language

• Viking invasions introduced additional linguistic influences into England's language landscape. Notably, William the Conqueror's Norman background brought Scandinavian elements into English.

• French became prominent in England post-Norman conquest; nobles were compelled to learn it, leading to significant lexical borrowing from French into English.

Linguistic Evolution and Borrowing

• The integration of French vocabulary into English resulted in a rich lexicon derived from Latin through France. This phenomenon is exemplified by discussions around President Bush’s comments about word origins.

• An example involving Jacques de Rida's use of "hantologie" illustrates how words can traverse languages and evolve over time through cultural exchanges.

This structured summary captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference.

The Influence of French and Latin on Other Languages

The Origin of Words in English

• Many English words with more than three syllables originate from French, indicating a significant influence of the French language on English vocabulary.

• German also contains many Latin-derived terms due to historical interactions with Latin as an intellectual language, especially during the 18th century when speaking French was considered cultured.

Cultural Impact of Language

• In Poland and Russia, French served as a cultural language; notable figures like Frederic Chopin communicated in French despite their Polish roots.

• The concept of lingua franca emerged for commercial communication in the Mediterranean, lasting from around the First Crusade until approximately the 17th century.

Linguistic Documentation Efforts

• There is limited documentation or formal grammar for lingua franca; however, some efforts have been made to compile existing testimonies by scholars.

• Modern equivalents to lingua franca can be seen in creole languages, which will be discussed further in later sessions.

Historical Context of Language Use

• During piracy in the Caribbean, various languages were spoken among pirates and traders without a specific lingua franca emerging among them.

• Despite historical Roman influences on German through colonization, contemporary Latin influence primarily stems from Martin Luther's translations that integrated Latin grammar into German.

Phonetic Changes and Influences

• The introduction of Latin grammar by Luther significantly altered the structure of German compared to its earlier forms.

• A discussion arose regarding phonetic changes in Spanish concerning the pronunciation of "TL," suggesting influences from Nahuatl but questioning its applicability across different Spanish-speaking regions.

Linguistic Influences and Phonetic Changes in Spanish

The Evolution of Phonemes from Latin to Spanish

• Discussion on the absence of certain phonemes in Latin, particularly the transition from Greek influences where a phoneme 'f' was interpreted by Latins as 'th'.

• In Spain, variations in pronunciation are noted; for example, "atleta" is pronounced differently across regions, highlighting regional linguistic diversity.

• The syllabic structure of words like "atlántico" differs between Mexican and Spanish pronunciations, showcasing how Nahuatl influences have shaped modern Spanish.

Regional Variations and Linguistic Heritage

• Speculation on whether pronunciation differences in countries like Argentina and Peru reflect Mexican influence or ease of articulation; emphasizes the complexity of language evolution.

• Importance of recognizing the rich tapestry of languages spoken across America, including indigenous dialects alongside Spanish.

Arabic Influence on Romance Languages

• Inquiry into the inheritance of Arabic poetry within Romance languages; reference to Marguit Frenk's work which argues for significant Arab influence in early lyrical poetry.

Historical Context: Galician and Portuguese Language Development

• Clarification that Galician and Portuguese are distinct yet contiguous varieties rather than one deriving from the other; historical context provided for their development.

Writing Systems: From Runes to Latin Script

• Mention of Italian crusaders possibly using runes before transitioning to Latin letters due to monastic practices; highlights cultural exchanges during medieval times.

• Explanation of "scriptorium" as a workspace for monks copying manuscripts, linking it to modern terminology related to writing desks.

The Concept of Poyesis in Language Creation

• Introduction to "poyesis," meaning creation or creative capacity; emphasizes that everyone has this ability when crafting language artfully.

• Distinction made between true artistry (poets/musicians with poyesis) versus mere technical execution without creativity.

Questions about Language Duration and Development

• Clarification regarding the timeline for the establishment of Castilian Spanish prior to its arrival in America; indicates that it had already developed significantly by the late 15th century.

Poetic Forms and Cultural Interactions

• Reference to "harchas," poetic forms influenced by Muslim culture among Hispano-Romans living under Islamic rule; connects historical poetry with contemporary discussions.

Introduction of Participants

Overview of Participants

• The speaker introduces various participants from different locations, including:

• Mario Ricardo Santiago Díaz de Tusclagutierres from Mexico City.

• Leonardo Herrera from Tul Titlán.

• Javier Álvarez Carteno from Ciudad Nesagualco.

• Jonathan Arias from La Paz, Estado de México.

• Antonio Mesa from Chalchicomulapuebla.

• Carolina Mora Sandoval from Ensenada Baja California.

• Additional names mentioned include Virginia Rosario, José Morales, Visto Victor Castillo, Julieta Vargas, Oscar del Río, Norma Moreno Campos, and Juana Herrera.

Upcoming Events and Topics

Future Conferences

• The speaker invites attendees to the next session scheduled for Thursday:

• Cristo Ferdomínguez will continue with a series on great literary critics focusing on Goethe and his critiques.

• A follow-up session is planned for Tuesday, July 2nd:

• The speaker will delve into the topic of discovering one's mother tongue.

• Attendees are encouraged to participate in these discussions as they promise to be enriching experiences.