Ricardo Carvalho Calero
Encyclopedia
Ricardo Carvalho Calero was a Spanish
philologist
, academic and writer. He was the first Professor of Galician Language
and Literature
at the University of Santiago de Compostela
. He was one of the main theorists of contemporary reintegracionism and his works on this field are considered a primary reference. Many consider Carvalho Calero as one of the most prominent figures of the twentieth century Galician intellectual
ity.
of Primo de Rivera
. In 1926 he moves to Santiago de Compostela
to study the degrees of Law and Philosophy and do the (compulsory) military service
. It is there when he gets acquainted with the ideas of Galicianism
and his political activism becomes an integral part of his life thereof.
In the late 1920s, he became friends with Soviet spy Ignace Reiss while the latter was stationed in Amsterdam
through mutual artist friends.
In 1931 he joins the Partido Galeguista
("Galicianist Party") and contributes to the draft of the first Galician Statute of Autonomy
alongside intellectuals such as Castelao
. He also collaborated with left-wing nationalist
organizations such as Esquerda Galeguista ("Galician Left") and with political publications such as Claridade ("Clarity") and Ser ("To Be"). He completed his college studies in 1936.
revolt and start of the Spanish Civil War
in 1936, Carvalho Calero becomes a volunteer combatant for the Spanish Republic, achieving the rank of lieutenant. He was captured by the Francoists and convicted on the grounds of "secessionism" to spend sixteen years in the jail of Jaén
(Spain). Yet, he was released in 1941. He returned to his natal city of Ferrol, where he had to work as a private tutor as he was banned from holding any public position, including teaching.
He re-established contact with the Galicianists and began his doctoral studies, eventually getting his PhD
in 1955. This was later published in 1963 with the title Historia da literatura galega contemporánea ("History of contemporary Galician literature"). In 1958 he was invited to join the Real Academia Galega
("Royal Galician Academy"). In 1965 he was allowed to hold public positions again, and moved to the Galician capital Compostela where he would teach Galician language and literature at the Rosalia de Castro high school, while he started to also teach at the University of Santiago de Compostela
. Finally, in 1972, he becomes the first ever university professor in the field of Galician Linguistics and Literature.
At that stage Carvalho Calero can be considered as the world expert in the work of poetess Rosalia de Castro
. He also became an editor and publisher, trying to promote classic Galician writers.
and the works of Manuel Rodrigues Lapa. This research, allied with his vast knowledge on the history of the Galician-Portuguese
language, made him re-interpret Galician classics and develop the theory of what would become contemporary "reintegracionism". In short, the idea that had been stated in the past but never scientifically systematised that Galician and Portuguese
languages were not just the same language in the past, sharing a common origin, but still are the same language today. Thus, Carvalho Calero raised as the chief supporter of that view.
With the end of the Franco dictatorship in 1977, Galicia became an autonomous community with Galician as its official language (alongside with Spanish). It was then urgently required to establish a fixed standard form. As professor of Galician language and literature, Carvalho Calero was appointed to lead the group of experts that should prepare the new norms for Galician. The first draft was produced in 1979 with the title Normas ortográficas do idioma galego ("Orthographic norms of the Galician language"). These norms recommended a gradual approach to Portuguese, using Portuguese as the most suitable orthographic
reference for spoken Galician and, still, often allowing for a number of different solutions in case of doubt.
However, this approximation to Portuguese was perceived by some pro-Spanish conservative groups as a possible political stance. Consequently, the norms were revoked without Carvalho's consent by means of a special law (the Decreto Filgueira). In the light of those events Carvalho Calero resigned his position in 1980. A new set of norms was passed in 1982 by the newly created Instituto Galego da Lingua ("Galician Institute for the Language") and even the Royal Galician Academy, of which he was still a member. Carvalho Calero had by then helped to create the Galician Association for the Language
(1981), in order to counteract what he thought to be an attempt to "damage" the language http://www.agal-gz.org/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=5.
He became an open critic of the new decisions on Galician language which he considered to be merely "political and not scientific". He even stated that the new norms and linguistic laws provoked a situation which "is anti-hygenic and goes against the economy" (in Uma voz na Galiza, 1984). In 1984, he was awarded the Medalla Castelao - the greatest civil award in Galicia - and was invited to join the Concello da Cultura Galega ("Council for the Galician Culture"), but he declined the invitation.
Carvalho Calero died in Santiago de Compostela
in 1990.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
philologist
Philology
Philology is the study of language in written historical sources; it is a combination of literary studies, history and linguistics.Classical philology is the philology of Greek and Classical Latin...
, academic and writer. He was the first Professor of Galician Language
Galician language
Galician is a language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch, spoken in Galicia, an autonomous community located in northwestern Spain, where it is co-official with Castilian Spanish, as well as in border zones of the neighbouring territories of Asturias and Castile and León.Modern Galician and...
and Literature
Galician literature
Galician language literature is the literature written in Galician. The earliest works in Galician language are from the early 13th-century trovadorismo tradition...
at the University of Santiago de Compostela
University of Santiago de Compostela
The Royal University of Santiago de Compostela - USC is a public university located in the city of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. A second campus is located in Lugo, Galicia....
. He was one of the main theorists of contemporary reintegracionism and his works on this field are considered a primary reference. Many consider Carvalho Calero as one of the most prominent figures of the twentieth century Galician intellectual
Intellectual
An intellectual is a person who uses intelligence and critical or analytical reasoning in either a professional or a personal capacity.- Terminology and endeavours :"Intellectual" can denote four types of persons:...
ity.
Youth and first involvement in politics
In his student years Carvalho Calero participated in the Spanish left-wing republican movements opposing the dictatorshipDictatorship
A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator. It has three possible meanings:...
of Primo de Rivera
Miguel Primo de Rivera
Miguel Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja, 2nd Marquis of Estella, 22nd Count of Sobremonte, Knight of Calatrava was a Spanish dictator, aristocrat, and a military official who was appointed Prime Minister by the King and who for seven years was a dictator, ending the turno system of alternating...
. In 1926 he moves to Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
to study the degrees of Law and Philosophy and do the (compulsory) military service
Military service
Military service, in its simplest sense, is service by an individual or group in an army or other militia, whether as a chosen job or as a result of an involuntary draft . Some nations require a specific amount of military service from every citizen...
. It is there when he gets acquainted with the ideas of Galicianism
Galicianism (Galicia)
Galicianism is a political ideology of nationalist character whose objective is the defence of Galicia and its culture by the means of the establishment and strengthening of its own institutions.-Origins:...
and his political activism becomes an integral part of his life thereof.
In the late 1920s, he became friends with Soviet spy Ignace Reiss while the latter was stationed in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
through mutual artist friends.
In 1931 he joins the Partido Galeguista
Partido Galeguista (1931)
The Partido Galeguista was a Galician nationalist party founded in December 1931. It achieved notoriety during the time of the Spanish Second Republic...
("Galicianist Party") and contributes to the draft of the first Galician Statute of Autonomy
Galician Statute of Autonomy (1936)
The Galician Statute of Autonomy was a statute of autonomy for Galicia. It was voted in referendum and presented to the Spanish Parliament. Yet, it could never be implemented because of the Spanish Civil War and subsequent Francoist dictatorship...
alongside intellectuals such as Castelao
Castelão
There are two association football stadiums nicknamed Castelão:*Castelão , located in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil*Castelão , located in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil-Other:...
. He also collaborated with left-wing nationalist
Galician nationalism
Galician nationalism is a political movement arguing for the recognition of Galicia as a nation. The political movement referred to as modern Galician nationalism was born at the beginning of the twentieth century from the idea of Galicianism.- Ideology :...
organizations such as Esquerda Galeguista ("Galician Left") and with political publications such as Claridade ("Clarity") and Ser ("To Be"). He completed his college studies in 1936.
Ostracism and eventual incorporation to the University
Following the FrancoistFrancisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
revolt and start of the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
in 1936, Carvalho Calero becomes a volunteer combatant for the Spanish Republic, achieving the rank of lieutenant. He was captured by the Francoists and convicted on the grounds of "secessionism" to spend sixteen years in the jail of Jaén
Jaén, Spain
Jaén is a city in south-central Spain, the name is derived from the Arabic word Jayyan, . It is the capital of the province of Jaén. It is located in the autonomous community of Andalusia....
(Spain). Yet, he was released in 1941. He returned to his natal city of Ferrol, where he had to work as a private tutor as he was banned from holding any public position, including teaching.
He re-established contact with the Galicianists and began his doctoral studies, eventually getting his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1955. This was later published in 1963 with the title Historia da literatura galega contemporánea ("History of contemporary Galician literature"). In 1958 he was invited to join the Real Academia Galega
Real Academia Galega
The Royal Galician Academy is an institution dedicated to the study of Galician culture and especially the Galician language; it promulgates norms of grammar, spelling, and vocabulary and works to promote the language. The Academy is based in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. The current president is...
("Royal Galician Academy"). In 1965 he was allowed to hold public positions again, and moved to the Galician capital Compostela where he would teach Galician language and literature at the Rosalia de Castro high school, while he started to also teach at the University of Santiago de Compostela
University of Santiago de Compostela
The Royal University of Santiago de Compostela - USC is a public university located in the city of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. A second campus is located in Lugo, Galicia....
. Finally, in 1972, he becomes the first ever university professor in the field of Galician Linguistics and Literature.
At that stage Carvalho Calero can be considered as the world expert in the work of poetess Rosalia de Castro
Rosalía de Castro
María Rosalía Rita de Castro , was a Galician romanticist writer and poet.Writing in the Galician language, after the Séculos Escuros , she became an important figure of the Galician romantic movement, known today as the Rexurdimento , along with Manuel Curros Enríquez and Eduardo Pondal...
. He also became an editor and publisher, trying to promote classic Galician writers.
"Reintegracionism"
His university research on Galician language made him gain an interest in etymologyEtymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
and the works of Manuel Rodrigues Lapa. This research, allied with his vast knowledge on the history of the Galician-Portuguese
Galician-Portuguese
Galician-Portuguese or Old Portuguese was a West Iberian Romance language spoken in the Middle Ages, in the northwest area of the Iberian Peninsula. It was first spoken in the area bounded in the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean and the Douro River in the south but it was later extended south...
language, made him re-interpret Galician classics and develop the theory of what would become contemporary "reintegracionism". In short, the idea that had been stated in the past but never scientifically systematised that Galician and Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
languages were not just the same language in the past, sharing a common origin, but still are the same language today. Thus, Carvalho Calero raised as the chief supporter of that view.
With the end of the Franco dictatorship in 1977, Galicia became an autonomous community with Galician as its official language (alongside with Spanish). It was then urgently required to establish a fixed standard form. As professor of Galician language and literature, Carvalho Calero was appointed to lead the group of experts that should prepare the new norms for Galician. The first draft was produced in 1979 with the title Normas ortográficas do idioma galego ("Orthographic norms of the Galician language"). These norms recommended a gradual approach to Portuguese, using Portuguese as the most suitable orthographic
Orthography
The orthography of a language specifies a standardized way of using a specific writing system to write the language. Where more than one writing system is used for a language, for example Kurdish, Uyghur, Serbian or Inuktitut, there can be more than one orthography...
reference for spoken Galician and, still, often allowing for a number of different solutions in case of doubt.
However, this approximation to Portuguese was perceived by some pro-Spanish conservative groups as a possible political stance. Consequently, the norms were revoked without Carvalho's consent by means of a special law (the Decreto Filgueira). In the light of those events Carvalho Calero resigned his position in 1980. A new set of norms was passed in 1982 by the newly created Instituto Galego da Lingua ("Galician Institute for the Language") and even the Royal Galician Academy, of which he was still a member. Carvalho Calero had by then helped to create the Galician Association for the Language
Agal
The agal , also spelled iqal, egal or igal, is an accessory constructed of cord which is fastened around the Keffiyeh to hold it in place. The agal is usually black in colour....
(1981), in order to counteract what he thought to be an attempt to "damage" the language http://www.agal-gz.org/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=5.
He became an open critic of the new decisions on Galician language which he considered to be merely "political and not scientific". He even stated that the new norms and linguistic laws provoked a situation which "is anti-hygenic and goes against the economy" (in Uma voz na Galiza, 1984). In 1984, he was awarded the Medalla Castelao - the greatest civil award in Galicia - and was invited to join the Concello da Cultura Galega ("Council for the Galician Culture"), but he declined the invitation.
Carvalho Calero died in Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
in 1990.
Poetry
- Trinitarias, 1928 (in Spanish)
- Vieiros, 1931
- La soledad confusa, 1932 (in Spanish)
- O silencio axionllado, 1934
- Anxo da terra, 1950
- Poemas pendurados dun cabelo, 1952
- Calteiro de Fingoi, 1961
- Pretérito Imperfeito, 1980
- Futuro condicional, 1982
- Cantigas de amigo e outros poemas, 1986
- Reticências, 1990
Theatre
- Catro pezas (four plays in one, including: A sombra de Orfeo, Farsa das zocas, A arbre, Auto do prisioneiro), 1971
- Teatro Completo, 1982
Essay
- Sete poemas galegos, 1955
- História da Literatura Galega Contemporánea, 1963 (re-edited in 1975 and 1976)
- Versos iñorados e ou esquecidos de Eduardo Pondal, 1961
- Gramática elemental del gallego común, 1966
- Brevario antológico de la literatura gallega contemporánea, 1966
- Edición de "Cantares gallegos" de Rosalía de Castro, 1969
- Libros e autores galegos: dos trovadores a Valle Inclán, 1970
- Sobre lingua e literatura galega, 1971
- Particularidades morfológicas del lenguaje de Rosalía de Castro, 1972
- Poesías de Rosalía de Castro, with L. Fontoira Surís, 1972
- Estudos rosalianos, 1977
- Problemas da Língua Galega, 1981
- Da Fala e da Escrita, 1983
- Letras Galegas, 1984
- Escritos sobre Castelao, 1989
- Do Galego e da Galiza, 1990 (posthumous)
- Umha voz na Galiza, 1992 (posthumous)
External links
- Caderno Conhecermos Carvalho Calero, PDF published by Fundaçom Artábria, Ferrol
- Carvalho Calero no século XX galego, by Maurício Castro