The Evolution of Catalan Language and Culture
1. The Middle Ages (5th-15th Centuries)
1.1 Social and Cultural Context
The Middle Ages, spanning from the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 to the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, saw Western Europe dominated by feudalism. The Church exerted significant influence within a predominantly Christian society, coexisting with Islamic culture.
In the 10th century, Catalonia emerged after Count Borrell II severed ties with the Frankish Empire. Feudalism shaped the economy, with agriculture as its foundation. Society was organized around rural fiefdoms, where vassals worked the land in exchange for protection from their lords.
Culturally, Vulgar Latin evolved into Romance languages, including Catalan. Access to culture was limited, primarily confined to the clergy and wealthy classes, often within monasteries. Latin remained the language of worship.
1.2 The Birth of Catalan
Several factors contributed to the emergence of Catalan:
- Influence of pre-Roman languages (substrate).
- The intensity of Romanization.
- Influence of later languages (superstrate).
Latin’s evolution also included morphological changes, such as the development of articles from demonstratives and the use of prepositions. Lexical influences from Vulgar Latin are also evident.
1.3 Early Catalan Texts
The first written Catalan words appeared in the 11th century, primarily in feudal documents, often mixing Romance and Latin. Notable early texts include the Forum Iudicum (12th century) and the Homilies d’Organyà (12th-13th centuries). Learned poetry emerged in the 12th century, followed by troubadour poetry, which gained popularity in the 15th century. Prose began to be written in Catalan in the 13th century, challenging Latin’s dominance.
2. The 13th and 14th Centuries: A Time of Change
This period witnessed significant political, economic, social, and cultural shifts. Feudalism began to decline with the rise of a wealthy merchant class in cities. Reform movements within the Church addressed corruption. A growing interest in literature emerged within the burgeoning urban centers.
Catalan language and culture flourished. The 14th century marked a departure from medieval models and a renewed interest in classical culture.
2.1 Humanism
Humanism, a precursor to the Renaissance, emphasized a human-centric worldview, contrasting with the God-centered perspective of feudal society. Peter IV of Aragon championed humanism within the Crown of Aragon, notably through reforms in the Royal Chancellery.
2.2 The Consolidation of Catalan
Influenced by Latin syntax, the Catalan used in the Royal Chancellery became a supradialectal standard.
- Syntax: Notable use of hyperbaton.
- Lexicon: Adaptation of many Latin words into Catalan.
3. The Crown of Aragon in the 15th Century
Marked by Castilian dynastic influence, the 15th century saw the cultural and economic rise of the Kingdom of Valencia and a golden age for Catalan literature.
Catalan literature reached its peak, with prominent authors from Valencia. Poetry, exemplified by Ausiàs March and Joan Roís de Corella, explored human emotions with unprecedented realism. Narrative prose achieved new heights with works like Tirant lo Blanc and Curial e Güelfa. The 15th century is considered the Golden Age of Catalan literature.