More Than Just Language
Irelyn Branam
When reading current or aged literature pieces, in Spanish, English, or any other language, the words we encounter in our readings can feel timeless or oddly foreign. The use of linguistic terms can tell the reader a lot – not just about the language itself, but about the period the piece was written in and how languages have evolved alongside their culture, class, and other impacting aspects.
This past semester, I had the opportunity to participate in a directed study that evaluated eleven Latin American short stories spanning from the late 19th century to the 1970s. During this study, the evolution of vocabulary usage throughout the stories was examined. One of the earliest stories read was El Rubi (1888), and Aquí pasan cosas raras (1975) was one of the more modern pieces read. Examining these texts offered an evolutionary glimpse into what words have survived life’s never-ending advancements and those that have been forgotten over time.
To illustrate this study, the chart below highlights the enduring or forgotten nature of specific lexicons within the eleven stories, while also offering a reflection of how each era’s customs and technologies are embedded into its language. Two words from each story have been displayed that are still commonly understood or used in modern-day Spanish. One word that has faded over time, or that has become obscure and regionalized, has been presented as well. You will find vocabulary terms related to outdated medical treatments, furnishings, and expressions of formality embedded into the chart. These words give the reader insight into what was relevant during the stories’ respective periods. You will also come to find words that reflect modern slang, urban objects, and social shifts.
It is important to note that the words listed as “outdated” may still be recognized by some, but overall, they are mostly unfamiliar to the audience today reading these pieces or learning the language of Spanish. Observing the chart below enables us to view how language serves as an archive of daily life, its developments, and cultural transformation. As the Oxford Research Encyclopedia explains, “In the 19th century, Spanish lexicon experienced significant changes due to increasing contact with English and other European languages, as well as the rise of nationalism and a desire to create a more standardized and modern language.”
Léxicos Chart: Then and Now
Overall, this table aims to provide a comparative look at the evolution of language in literature and society. Each word that has faded – whether that being “cretona”, a once common fabric for upholstery, or “coime”, a regional slang word for a billiard table assistant – gives a glimpse into the cultural and occupational material, alongside the social behavior of its historical context. These words reflect their time. For example, “sinapismo” reflects early 20th-century healthcare as it describes an object commonly used in traditional medicine, and “polaina” illustrates the clothing styles used in rural settings in the mid-20th century. On the contrary, words such as “rabia” (rage) or “trenzas” (braids) continue to hold a common place in today’s vocabulary usage because they describe universal human experiences and details.
The Importance of Vocabulary Evolution
Language is a living reflection of its time. Vocabulary trends come and go for a variety of reasons: cultural shifts or new forms of communication, for instance. Looking back on lost vocabulary can give readers insight into what was once a significant linguistic term in individuals’ lives, which could have demonstrated outdated objects, social norms, customs, or attitudes no longer prevalent in today’s world. Everlasting terms and phrases seem to express universal concepts of emotion, movement, and nature. Investigating which words carry on can divulge not solely what has changed, but even more so, what remains indispensable in the Spanish language.
More Than Just Language
As I journeyed through these short stories, I was reminded that studying literature is much more than a lesson in a plot or theme – it’s linguistic archaeology. Examining older texts transports the reader to an alternative time through settings and characters, while also doing so through specific language, vocabulary, idioms, and specific cultural linguistic trends and traditions.
Forgotten vocabulary is invaluable – it tells stories of the times before us, much like an artifact. Although past lexicons may not serve practical functions in modern day, they still sustain value by expressing the scent of history, illustrating how individuals thought, acted, and spoke. Courses such as the directed study I took part in this semester provided us readers the chance to reconnect with the world, the world of many various ages, ultimately learning to appreciate how language and life continuously evolve and leave behind stories through anything as simple as a word.