Article published In: Quot homines tot artes: New Studies in Missionary Linguistics
Edited by Otto Zwartjes and E.F.K. Koerner †
[Historiographia Linguistica 36:2/3] 2009
► pp. 363–392
Portuguese and Other European Missionaries in Africa
A look at their linguistic production and attitudes (1415–1885)
Published online: 2 December 2009
https://doi.org/10.1075/hl.36.2.10lev
https://doi.org/10.1075/hl.36.2.10lev
Summary
This study looks at some of the works produced by Catholic missionaries in Africa from the pre-dawn of the Modern Era (Fall of Constantinople, 1453), in particular the Fall of Ceuta (1415), to the Berlin Conference (1884–1885). Particular emphasis will be placed on the linguistic production of a few Franciscan, Augustinian, Capuchin, Dominican, and/or Jesuit clerics, working under the aegis of the Portuguese Crown, who – with the invaluable help of native assistants, usually members of the clergy or closely affiliated with the Church – compiled the first grammars, word lists, glossaries, and dictionaries of the indigenous languages with which they worked and interacted on a daily basis. Their endeavour, though meritorious and not always free from preconceived ideas of the ‘other’, paved the way for future studies in the field.
Résumé
Cette étude traite de certains travaux produits par les missionnaires catholiques en Afrique à partir de la pré-aube de l’ère moderne (la Chute de Constantinople, 1453) – en particulier à partir de la Chute de Ceuta (1415) – à la Conférence de Berlin (1884–1885). Une accentuation particulière est mise sur la production linguistique de quelques employés franciscains, augustiniens, capucins, dominicains et/ou ecclésiastiques jésuites, travaillant sous l’égide de la Couronne Portugaise qui – avec l’aide inestimable des assistants natifs selonl’habitude des membres du clergé ou affiliés proches à l’Eglise – ont compilé les premières grammaires, les listes de mots, les glossaires et les dictionnaires des langues indigènes avec lesquels ils ont travaillé et communiqué dans la vie quotidienne. Leur effort, bien que méritant et pas toujours libre des idées préconçues ‘de l’autre’, a ouvert la voie aux futures études dans le domaine.
Zusammenfassung
In dem Artikel werden einige Werke katholischer Missionare in Afrika aus der Frühzeit, d.h. vor dem Fall Konstantinopels (1453) bzw. vor der Einnahme von Ceuta (1415) bis zur Berliner Konferenz (1884–1885), vorgestellt. Dabei werden insbesondere einige sprachwissenschaftliche Beiträge von Franziskanern, Augustinern, Kapuzinern, Dominikanern und auch Jesuiten hervorgehoben, welche unter der Ägide der portugiesischen Krone entstanden sind, in der Regel unter Mithilfe, bodenständiger Kleriker, welche die ersten Grammatiken, Wortlisten, Glossare und Wörterbücher jener indigenen Sprachen verfasst haben, mit denen sie im ständigen Arbeitskontakt standen. Die Resultate ihrer Bemühungen waren verdienstvoll, nicht ganz frei von vorgefassten Ideen der ‘Anderen’, haben aber den Weg für weitere Arbeiten auf diesem Gebiet bereitet.
Resumen
Este estudio presenta algunas de las obras producidas por misioneros católicos en África antes de la Edad Moderna (tomada de Constantinopla, 1453) – especialmente a partir de la Tomada de Ceuta (1415) – hasta la Conferencia de Berlín (1884–1885). Particular énfasis será puesto en la producción lingüística de algunos franciscanos, agustinos, capuchinos, dominicos y jesuitas, todos bajo la égida de la Corona portuguesa, los cuales, gracias a la valiosa ayuda de asistentes nativos, generalmente miembros del clero o mucho próximos a la labor de la Iglesia, compilaron las primeras gramáticas y listas de palabras, así como glosarios y diccionarios de lenguas indígenas con las cuales trabajaban y interaccionaban cotidianamente. Su esfuerzo, a pesar de ser meritorio y no siempre libre de preconceptos sobre el ‘otro’, abrió las puertas para estudios posteriores.
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