The Real Academia Española: Guardians of the Spanish Language

The Real Academia Española (RAE), or Royal Spanish Academy, is the official royal institution responsible for overseeing the Spanish language. Based in Madrid, Spain, the RAE was founded in 1713 under the auspices of Juan Manuel Fernández Pacheco, the Marquis of Villena.

History

The origins of the RAE date back to the late 16th century, when a group of scholars and literary figures met regularly to discuss and analyze the Spanish language. This informal group gradually evolved into an officially sanctioned organization dedicated to promoting the study of the Spanish language. In 1713, King Philip V granted the group a royal charter, establishing the Real Academia Española.

One of the RAE's first major initiatives was to develop an authoritative dictionary of the Spanish language. The first edition of the Diccionario de la lengua española was published in 1780 after years of diligent work by the academy's members. Since then, the dictionary has gone through 23 editions, with the most recent in 2014, continuously expanding and refining the standardized use of the Spanish language.

Function

The principal mission of the RAE is to ensure the unity, integrity and growth of the Spanish language across Spain and the hispanic world. It establishes normative criteria and guidelines for proper Spanish usage across all areas including vocabulary, grammar, orthography and linguistic research.

While headquartered in Madrid, the RAE collaborates closely with parallel language academies in 22 other Spanish-speaking countries through the Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española (Association of Spanish Language Academies). This international cooperation aims to establish shared linguistic norms for Spanish while respecting regional variations and influences.

In addition to its renowned dictionary, the RAE publishes a wide range of works including grammar guides, orthographic statements, books on literary studies and linguistic research. It also organizes conferences, contests and educational programs devoted to the Spanish language.

Facts

- The RAE consists of 46 academicians, elected based on their literary merits and dedication to the Spanish language.

- Only the RAE can officially incorporate new words into Spanish. Around 5,000 new entries are added in each new dictionary edition.

- The emblematic headquarters of the RAE is located on Calle Felipe IV in the Barrio de las Letras neighborhood of Madrid.

- Entry to become an academician requires approval by the King or Queen of Spain, among other stringent criteria.

Contacting the RAE

Those wishing to contact the Real Academia Española can do so through the following channels:

• Mailing Address: Calle Felipe IV, 4, 28014 Madrid, Spain

• Phone: (+34) 91 420 16 87

• Website: www.rae.es

• Email: [email protected]

Whether seeking authoritative linguistic guidance or researching Spanish literature and language evolution, the Real Academia Española remains an essential institution preserving Spain's rich cultural heritage through its official oversight of the Spanish language.

Questions

1. What is the primary mission of the Real Academia Española (RAE)?

2. How does the RAE collaborate with other Spanish-speaking countries to maintain the Spanish language?

3. What are some of the major publications and initiatives undertaken by the RAE?

Spanish Word

Palabra: Académico/a
Definition: A member of an academy, especially the Real Academia Española.

Classroom Activity: “Exploring the RAE”

Objective: To learn about the role of the RAE in preserving the Spanish language and its cultural significance.

Activity: Students will create a digital scrapbook that highlights the history, functions, and contributions of the RAE. They will use online resources to gather information, images, and facts to include in their scrapbook pages. Each student will focus on a different aspect of the RAE, such as its history, dictionary editions, or the process of adding new words to the Spanish language. The scrapbook will be compiled into a class website that serves as an educational resource for others interested in the Spanish language and the RAE’s work.

Materials Needed:

• Internet access for research

• Digital scrapbooking software or website builder

• Creative writing and design skills

Outcome: A comprehensive class website that showcases the students’ research and creativity while educating visitors about the Real Academia Española.