Gramática de Língua Portuguesa II - Gramáticas(s): um pouco de história

Summary

This video lecture explores the historical development of grammar, tracing its origins from ancient civilizations like the Babylonians and Hindus, to the Greek and Roman empires. It examines how Greek and Latin grammatical norms influenced later developments and their impact on modern languages, particularly Portuguese. The lecture delves into the role of language in societal hierarchy, the evolution of linguistic standards, and the cultural and political factors that shaped grammar teaching. Through historical examples, it highlights how grammatical norms were formed and preserved, shedding light on the diversity of language and its implications for education and communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 The study of grammar has ancient roots, with the Babylonians, Hindus, and Chinese all contributing to its development.
• 😀 Grammar as we know it today was largely shaped by Greek and Roman cultures, which set the foundation for modern grammar studies.
• 😀 The Roman approach to grammar was highly practical, aimed at teaching correct speech and writing, especially for public speaking.
• 😀 The concept of 'correct' language is tied to social values, not inherent linguistic quality, and reflects political and cultural power dynamics.
• 😀 Linguistic diversity is a natural part of all languages, influenced by geography, social class, occupation, education, and other factors.
• 😀 Despite the diversity in language, efforts to standardize language led to the creation of language norms and the notion of a 'standard language.'
• 😀 The ancient Greeks and Romans saw their language as a prestigious cultural asset, using their respective 'correct' forms of Greek and Latin as a model.
• 😀 The rise of vernacular languages in Europe, particularly after the fall of the Roman Empire, led to the gradual adoption of these languages in written and official forms.
• 😀 In the Middle Ages, Latin was the dominant language for intellectual and religious discourse, but vernacular languages began to emerge more prominently in literature and daily communication.
• 😀 By the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century, scholars began to standardize the grammar of vernacular languages, with Castilian Spanish being the first to have a written grammar in 1492.

Q & A

What is the primary objective of this video lesson?

The primary objective is to introduce the concept of grammar through a historical journey, covering the creation of grammar from Roman times to modern languages, and providing considerations on grammar in Rome, the medieval world, and modern languages.

How does the speaker describe the concept of grammar in early education?

The speaker describes grammar as a 'monster' or 'boogeyman' in early education, where students are often overwhelmed by lists of terms and rules they don't fully understand, which are presented as untouchable and absolute.

What historical examples does the speaker provide to show the origins of grammatical studies?

The speaker mentions that the Babylonians were studying grammar around 2000 BC, the Hindus had a strong grammatical tradition by the 4th century BC, and the Chinese were also developing grammatical theories around the same time.

How did the Greek and Roman cultures influence the development of grammar?

Greek and Roman cultures significantly influenced grammar by establishing a normative tradition of language study. The Greeks, particularly in Alexandria, set out to cultivate a standard language form, which the Romans later adopted and refined, focusing on the language of poets and scholars as the 'correct' form.

What role did social class play in the establishment of correct language usage during Roman times?

In Roman times, the correct use of language was a privilege reserved for the elite, particularly the male elites, who were expected to master certain language forms that were deemed correct. The idea of linguistic correctness was tied to social status and prestige.

What was the focus of Roman grammar education?

Roman grammar education was highly practical, focusing on speaking in public and writing, with the ultimate goal being the cultivation of a person’s ability to communicate 'correctly' in both speaking and writing.

What was the significance of Priscian's grammar during the medieval period?

Priscian's grammar became the reference work for Latin during the medieval period. His grammatical rules were adopted throughout Europe, particularly in monasteries, to preserve classical Latin, even as vernacular languages began to emerge.

How did the vernacular languages evolve during the medieval period?

During the medieval period, the vernacular languages evolved as the spoken forms of Latin diverged. Over time, new languages emerged from these dialects, and by the 13th and 14th centuries, poets like Dante began to argue for writing in these vernacular languages instead of Latin.

What was the role of Dante in the development of vernacular language use?

Dante was instrumental in promoting the use of vernacular languages. He argued that the vernacular had the expressive capabilities of Latin and, politically, that using the vernacular made literature accessible to a wider audience beyond the educated elite who knew Latin.

How did the development of grammar in the Renaissance period impact modern languages?

In the Renaissance, the development of grammar for vernacular languages, such as the Castilian grammar in 1492, set the foundation for modern grammars. The systematization of these languages was modeled after Latin grammar, and this led to the creation of standardized grammatical rules that persist in modern languages.