I am not convinced by the current Mignolo; I think “decolonial” is a fuzzy category; I liked his things from earlier on, though.
Nebrija in the New World: Renaissance Philosophy of Language and the Spread of Western Literacy
1. Looking back from Bernardo J. de Aldrete: the linguistic unification of Spain and the linguistic diversity of the Indies
– this title is already interesting
– late 15th century: new celebration of the letter and of vernacular languages
– Nebrija, then Bernardo de Aldrete, Orígenes de la lengua castellana, 1606, both discuss linguistic conquest; language is connected with religion and there is linguistic mestizaje, where Latin dominates.
– Aldrete points out that Castilian grammar derives from Latin and Arabic influence is only lexical. Castile united in Christianity had described the state in Nebrija’s time but now also described the language.
– What he says about the West Indies is mostly derived from Acosta’s description of Peru. He is interested in linguistic expansion and concerned that Castilian is not being picked up quickly enough. This has broad implications for his interpretation of the situation, which in turn reveals his assumptions (see 34). He is interested in the continuity of the classical tradition, in Latin as the language of learning and civility, and Castilian as the language of the nation (37).
– Letters civilize.
2. Looking forward from E. A. de Nebrija: the invention of letters and the need to tame the voice
– 1479: F&I limiting power of nobles; bringing humanists from Italy; Nebrija publishes Introductiones latinae which introduced humanism to Spain and initiated his fight against the “barbarians” (as Fco. Rico put it).
– Nebrija wants a pact between arms and letters at the time when Castile was becoming a modern state ruled by men of letters (39)
[- language, civilization, letters, interpretation of written word … these things are at the center of humanistic study, as we might remind the Administration; there is other fascinating detail on curriculum on 39]
– the power of a unified language, via its grammar, lies in teaching it to barbarians (39)
– you control barbarian languages by writing their grammars; you conquer territory with letters, not just with arms
– cf. Augustine’s idea of an original and unified language, before Babel; original unity, primera serenidad, before we fell into language
– [linguistic diversity is a kind of corruption and could be demonic]
– letters tame the voice, and languages deteriorate when writing disappears, according to Nebrija
– Once again, letters mean civilization, they are its sign.
#OccupyHE
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 