Antonio de Nebrija's Castilian Spanish Works
Find out why Nebrija is renowned for being the first grammarian to focus on describing a Romance language.
Elio Antonio de Nebrija
Antonio Martínez de Cala y Xarana (1441–1522) was the first Spanish Humanist. Best known for his Castilian Grammar (1492), he was also responsible for introducing Italian Renaissance Humanism to the Iberian Peninsula as long ago as the 1470s.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
Nebrija's work on the Castilian language comprised the Castilian Grammar and the Rules of Spelling. At the time of their publication, these two books were not as popular as his book on Latin had been. It was not until the 18th century that Nebrija's work came to be fully appreciated. Let's take a look at each of them.
1. Grammar of the Castilian language
The publication of Antonio de Nebrija's grammar book in 1492 meant that Castilian, or Spanish, became the first Latin language to have its own descriptive study, freeing it from its root language.
The publication date of this book coincided with other hugely significant historical events, such as the end of the Spanish Reconquista and the arrival of Columbus in America. All things considered, 1492 was an annus mirabilis in Spanish history and culture.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
Although at first Nebrija's project did not have the support of Queen Isabel I of Castile, Juan de Zúñiga's patronage made its publication possible. The lack of subsequent editions suggests that the book was not especially popular at the time of its publication.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
It was the first Spanish grammar book as well as the first grammar of a vernacular language to be printed in Europe, at a time when Spanish was not viewed as a cultured language.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
Nebrija was ahead of his time. After the publication of Introductiones Latinae, he reached the conclusion that it was necessary to learn Spanish to be able to study Latin. By concentrating on the rules of this language, it would be easier to avoid the natural process of corruption between the two languages.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
Features of the book
The grammar book is divided into five books: Spelling, Prosody, Etymology, Syntax, and Introductions to the Castilian Language for Those of Another Language who Wish to Learn it.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
The publication of this book, which was cheaply printed and decoratively sparse, shows the lack of interest that Nebrija's studies of Spanish sparked in their time.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
The book was printed on parchment. Its cover was also parchment and, unlike his other books, it was not bound. It does not have a front cover and in some editions, the initial letter of the paragraphs was not completed.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
It was not until the 18th century that Nebrija's work came to be fully appreciated as a description of Spanish vernacular language. However, the dissemination and study of this work experienced a new period of disinterest until the advent of the 20th century.
Spanish Grammar (1492) by Antonio de NebrijaOriginal Source: Spanish National Library
At the beginning of his Castilian Grammar, Nebrija included a long dedication to Queen Isabel I of Castile. In it, he introduced an expression that went on to become very famous: he said that language is the "companion of empire."
Rules of Spelling of the Castilian Language (1517)Original Source: National Library of Spain
2. Rules of spelling in the Castilian language
This work did not appear until 25 years after Castilian Grammar. However, the switch from Latin to Spanish spellings in this work represented a significant change.
Rules of Spelling of the Castilian Language (1517)Original Source: National Library of Spain
As a living language, it was possible to identify different pronunciations in Spanish, making it possible to adapt the writing system to real pronunciations by establishing a standardization of spelling based on speech. This was a reversal of the traditional method.
Legacy
This book by Nebrija made a significant mark on Spanish traditional grammar and lexicography. In addition, it had an influence on the arts, study, and vocabularies of several indigenous languages, giving them a linguistic structure.
Friar Andrés de Olmos (S. XVI) by J. AquinoOriginal Source: National Museum of History, Castillo de Chapultepec
Following the appearance of the printing press in the Americas in the 1530s, the Franciscan priest Andrés de Olmos wrote the first grammar of the Nahuatl language in 1547, in which he stated, "I will not be beyond reproach if I do not follow the Art of Antonio in all that I do."
Folding Screen with Indian Wedding and Flying Pole (Biombo con desposorio indígena y palo volador) (c 1690) by UnknownLos Angeles County Museum of Art
Based on this, similar grammar books were published on the Mixtecan, Zapotec, Mayan, Poqomchiʼ, Chibcha, K'iche', Kaqchikel, Tzʼutujil, Tzeltal, Vilela, Achawa, Guaraní, Lule, Aymara, Tonocoté, Tarascan and Purépecha, Otomí, Mapuche, Mapudungun or Araucanian languages.
Sculpture of Antonio de Nebrija (1944) by José Lafita DíazFundación Antonio de Nebrija
With the participation of Adelaida Caro, Head of the Department of Ancient Books.
Content provided by the Spanish National Library.
Curator: Rodrigo Díaz
