Dante's "De Vulgari Eloquentia": An Advocacy for Vernacular Studies (Importance of Using the Mother Tongue)

"There are many who understand Greek and Latin, and yet are ignorant of their Mother Tongue."

John Dryden (1631 - 1700)

English poet, playwright, and literary critic.

Sylvae (translation of Horace's Odes)

“Whoever is so misguided as to think that the place of his birth is the most delightful spot under the sun may also believe that his own language—his mother tongue, that is—is pre-eminent among all others; and, as a result he may believe that his language was also Adam’s. ”

― Dante Alighieri, "De Vulgari Eloquentia"

Introduction: Dante Alighieri,  A Celebrated Literary Figure 

Dante Alighieri is a celebrated literary figure renowned for his profound ideas, masterful poetry, and daring imagination. His influence on the development of Italian literature cannot be overstated, and he was instrumental in establishing the use of vernacular Italian in literature. In 1304, Dante wrote "De Vulgari Eloquentia", a treatise in Latin that championed the use of Italian as a literary language.  In his treatise, "De Vulgari Eloquentia", Dante Alighieri passionately advocates for the use and study of vernacular languages in literature and education. He, however, used the Latin language eloquently in treatises on the  uses of the Italian language.

Dante Alighieri

Dante's exile from Florence in 1302 led to a significant transformation in his political views. He spent his exile period in Verona and other northern Italian cities, and later on, in Paris between 1307 and 1309. During this time, he became a supporter of the Ghibellines and believed in the unification of Europe under the rule of an enlightened emperor.

While in exile, Dante wrote two essential works in Latin. One of these works was "De Vulgari Eloquentia" (Concerning the Common Speech), written between 1304 and 1305. This treatise defended the Italian language as a literary medium and established specific criteria for good usage in written Italian. It also contained a section dedicated to critiquing Italian poetry. Dante's work was significant because it challenged the prevailing view of Latin as the only appropriate language for literature and helped establish Italian as a legitimate literary language.

Dante was a pioneer in his time, challenging the widely accepted practice of using Latin exclusively in literary works. In this essay, we will explore the key themes and arguments presented in "De Vulgari Eloquentia" and discuss its relevance in contemporary times.

Earliest Literary Treatises on the Importance of Using the Mother Tongue in Literature

Dante's "De Vulgari Eloquentia" can be considered one of the earliest literary treatises on the importance of using the mother tongue in education or in literature. Prior to Dante's time, Latin was the dominant language used in literature and education, and vernacular languages were often seen as less sophisticated or worthy of literary expression. However, in "De Vulgari Eloquentia", Dante argued that the Italian language was just as capable of conveying complex ideas and emotions as Latin, and that it was important to use the vernacular in literary works in order to reach a wider audience.

Dante's treatise paved the way for the development of vernacular literature in Italy and beyond, and it is seen as an important milestone in the history of language and literature.

The Importance of Vernacular Languages

Dante argues that vernacular languages should be used in literary works because they better represent the people and culture from which they originate. He believes that language is a fundamental part of identity and that using Latin, a language inaccessible to the masses, alienates readers and limits the potential of literature. Dante writes, "Just as we can recognize a tree by its fruit, so we can recognize the people by their vernacular." (De Vulgari Eloquentia, I.XI)

In "De Vulgari Eloquentia", Dante argued that the Italian language was not only capable of conveying complex ideas but was also a suitable language for literary expression. He believed that Italian was a language that could be understood by all people, not just the elite, and that it had the potential to bring people together through shared cultural expression. Dante's persuasive arguments helped to lay the foundation for the flourishing of Italian literature in the centuries to come.

Dante's contributions to literature are many, but his advocacy for the use of Italian as a literary language remains one of his most significant achievements. By challenging the notion that Latin was the only suitable language for literature, he paved the way for a new era of Italian literature and helped to elevate the Italian language to a position of prominence in the literary world.

Challenges to Vernacular Studies 

Despite the benefits of using vernacular languages, Dante acknowledges that they face challenges in gaining acceptance and legitimacy. One of the main challenges is the belief that Latin is superior to vernacular languages. Dante argues that this belief is misguided and that vernacular languages have the potential to produce works of equal quality and importance. He writes, "If we consider the matter carefully, we will see that the beauty and value of a work depend not on the language in which it is written, but on the skill of the writer." (De Vulgari Eloquentia, I.V)

The Role of Literature in Society 

Dante sees literature as a means of transmitting culture and knowledge. He believes that vernacular literature has the potential to be more accessible and relevant to people's lives than Latin literature. In his view, literature should reflect the concerns and experiences of ordinary people. Dante writes, "Literature should be a mirror that reflects the concerns, hopes, and dreams of society. Vernacular literature can do this better than Latin literature because it is rooted in the everyday language of the people." (De Vulgari Eloquentia, II.V)

Relevance in Contemporary Times 

The arguments presented in "De Vulgari Eloquentia" are still relevant in contemporary times. The use of vernacular languages in literature and education has become more widespread, but it still faces challenges in gaining acceptance and legitimacy. The belief that Latin is superior to vernacular languages is still prevalent in some circles. However, the value of vernacular languages and the need to make literature more accessible to people from all walks of life is more widely recognized now than in Dante's time.

Conclusion 

Dante's "De Vulgari Eloquentia" is a passionate advocacy for the use and study of vernacular languages in literature and education. Dante's arguments are rooted in a belief that language is a fundamental part of identity and that literature should reflect the concerns and experiences of ordinary people. The relevance of "De Vulgari Eloquentia" in contemporary times lies in its call for making literature more accessible and relevant to people's lives. We can learn from Dante's vision of a world where literature speaks to people in their own language and reflects their own experiences.

Extra Notes

There are several philosophers and critics who have also supported the use of mother tongue in literature and education. Here are a few notable examples:

👉Confucius: Confucius was a Chinese philosopher who lived in the 6th century BCE. He believed that the use of the mother tongue was essential for maintaining cultural and social harmony. 

👉Aristotle: Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who lived in the 4th century BCE. He believed that the mother tongue was the best language for learning and communication, and that it was important for people to be fluent in their own language before learning other languages.

👉Cicero: Cicero was a Roman statesman, philosopher, and orator who lived in the 1st century BCE. He believed that the mother tongue was essential for the expression of ideas and emotions, and that it was important to use language that was accessible to ordinary people.

👉Al-Farabi: Al-Farabi was a Persian philosopher who lived in the 9th century CE. He believed that the use of the mother tongue was important for promoting social and political harmony, and that it was essential for people to have a strong foundation in their own language before learning other languages.

👉Panini: Panini was an ancient Indian grammarian who lived in the 4th century BCE. He is widely regarded as the father of Sanskrit grammar, and his work has had a profound influence on the development of the language. He believed that the mother tongue was the foundation of all learning, and that it was important for people to have a strong foundation in their own language before learning other languages.

👉Kalidasa: Kalidasa was an ancient Indian poet and playwright who lived in the 4th century CE. He is considered one of the greatest writers in the Sanskrit language, and his works continue to be celebrated for their beauty and artistry. He believed that the use of the mother tongue was essential for the expression of ideas and emotions, and that it was important to use language that was accessible to ordinary people.

👉Bhartṛhari: Bhartṛhari was an ancient Indian philosopher and linguist who lived in the 5th century CE. He is known for his work on the philosophy of language and his contributions to the development of Sanskrit grammar. He believed that the mother tongue was essential for the preservation of cultural identity and that it was important to use language that reflected the values and traditions of the community.

👉Johann Gottfried Herder: Herder was an 18th-century German philosopher and writer who championed the use of vernacular languages in literature and education. He believed that every culture had its own unique language, and that this language was an essential part of its identity and character.

👉John Amos Comenius: Comenius was a 17th-century Czech philosopher and educator who advocated for the use of the mother tongue in education. He believed that children should learn through their own language and culture, rather than being forced to learn in a foreign language.

👉Rabindranath Tagore: Tagore was a Bengali poet and philosopher who wrote extensively about the importance of language and culture. He believed that language was an essential part of identity and that it was important to use the mother tongue in literature and education.

👉Ngugi wa Thiong'o: Ngugi is a Kenyan writer and activist who has written extensively about the importance of African languages and culture. He believes that the use of African languages in literature and education is essential for preserving cultural identity and promoting social and political change.

Ardhendu De (AD)

References:

1. D., & Botterill, S. (2009, October 1). Dante: De vulgari eloquentia. Cambridge Core. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511519444

2. Callaway, M. (1925). THE PRESENT-DAY ATTITUDE TOWARD THE HISTORIC STUDY OF THE MOTHER-TONGUE. Studies in English, 5, 39–67. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20779359