Literary Evolution of Extremadura & the Spread of Spanish in the Americas
Literary History of Extremadura
Regionalism (Early 20th Century)
In the early 20th century, Extremadura’s literary scene was dominated by regionalism. Key figures include:
- José María Gabriel: Focused on rural life and its challenges.
- Luis Chamizo: A modernist poet known as the quintessential Extremadura writer.
- Antonio Reyes Huertas: His novels, like “Blood of the Race,” present a conservative view of Extremadura.
- Francisco Valdés: His prose, marked by melancholy and violence, gradually aligned with fascism.
Generation of ’98
Felipe Trigo’s work, such as “Jarrapellejos,” features social commentary on rural life.
Modernism
Enrique Diez-Canedo played a crucial role in introducing contemporary European literature to Spain. His work continued to evolve until his exile during the Second Republic (“The Outcast”).
Vanguard
Vanguard influence in Extremadura was limited, with Juan Frutos and Pedro Eugenio Caba as notable figures.
Literature During the Dictatorship
The Spanish Civil War and subsequent dictatorship significantly impacted the literary landscape. Many writers, including Diez-Canedo and Arturo Barea (“The Forging of a Rebel” trilogy), went into exile. Post-war authors like Alfonso Albalá adopted a formal aesthetic. Economic hardship in Extremadura limited publishing, but writers like Pedro de Lorenzo and Jesús Delgado Valhondo found outlets for their work. Many Extremadura-born authors, such as poets José María Valverde and Pureza Canelo, worked elsewhere. Social realism prevailed in the 1950s, exemplified by Juan José Plans. In the later years of the dictatorship, Manuel Martínez Mediero wrote his first plays, including “Angry Baby.”
Democratic Transition (1970s)
The 1970s saw a rise in realistic and experimental literature. José Antonio Zambrano stands out in poetry. Younger voices emerged, paving the way for a literary break in the following decade. Social criticism continued in prose, notably with Víctor Chamorro. José Antonio Gabriel y Galán, in novels like “Captive Memory,” explored the human condition. José Antonio García Blázquez, less experimental but equally concerned with individual struggles, focused on social and educational issues.
Literary Renewal (1980s & 1990s)
The 1980s and 1990s witnessed a literary revival with the establishment of new publishers and libraries. Key moments include:
- Publication of “Young Poets in the Classroom.”
- National recognition of poets Ángel Campos Pámpano and Álvaro Valverde.
- Publication of Luis Landero’s “Games of the Twilight Years,” showcasing new directions in Extremadura’s novel.
The novel embraced national trends: media influence, blending modernity and tradition, travel literature, and diaries. Notable novelists include Dulce Chacón, Luis Landero, Francisco Eugenio Fuentes, and Eugenio Leal. Poetry connected with other fields, characterized by narrative elements, colloquialisms, formal metrics, tradition, urban themes, realism, and the poetry of silence. Ada Salas and Basilio Sánchez are prominent poets.
The Latest Generation
In prose, key figures include Javier Cercas (“Soldiers of Salamis”), Jesús Sánchez Adalid (“The Mozarabic Champion”), and Álvaro Valverde (“The Walls of the World”). Pilar Galán and Elías Moro offer a satirical view of contemporary life. In poetry, Javier Rodríguez Marcos and José María Cumbreño, who began publishing in the 1990s, are noteworthy. Juan Copete is a leading playwright, known for “Very Cold Water That Freezes the Heart.”
Spanish in the Americas
Expansion and Variation
Spanish arrived in the Americas with Columbus and spread as territories were colonized. Its dissemination was aided by its use in spreading Catholicism, enforcing laws, and promoting Spanish culture. American Spanish is diverse, influenced by the conquerors’ origins, colonization periods, language mixing, African slave trade, European immigration, and U.S. influence. Today, Spanish is spoken in 18 countries, including Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Argentina, as well as Puerto Rico, the Antilles, and the U.S.
Linguistic Traits
Phonetic-Phonological:
- Lisping, pronunciation of “c” or “z” as “s” (seseo).
- Yeísmo (pronouncing “ll” as “y”).
- Confusion of “r” and “l” at the end of syllables.
- Weakening or loss of final “s.”
- Aspiration of initial “h” from Latin “f.”
Morphosyntactic:
- Voseo (use of “vos” instead of “tú”).
- Gender changes in some words.
- Use of “usted” with third-person verb agreement.
- Postponed possessives.
- Abundance of diminutives.
- Disappearance of the preterite perfect tense.
- Variations in preposition and adverb use.
Lexico-Semantic:
- Survival of archaisms.
- Incorporation of indigenous terms (e.g., snuff, coca, chocolate).
- New meanings for existing Spanish words.
- Marginalization of certain words.
- Influence of Italian, African, English, and French.