‘Faith Then Cometh by Hearing’: Latin Orality and the Typological Framework of the Milagros de Nuestra Señora

Giles, Ryan

Bulletin of Hispanic Studies (2019), 96, (10), 1031–1042.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3828/bhs.2019.62
Language: English
Pages: 12

Abstract

This study examines Latin phrases that are inserted throughout the Milagros de Nuestra Señora, and work in conjunction with vernacular formulations that critics have often identified as examples of orality. My investigation draws on recent approaches to medieval culture like that of John Miles Foley and Peter Ramey who understand orality and literacy as categories that are simultaneous rather than contrary. In some cases, I find that Berceo’s Latin interjections are elliptical, insofar as missing words and phrases from inserted fragments appear to be meaningful in new vernacularized contexts. In other cases, however, these insertions are more completely recontextualized, and can take on very distinct, even paradoxical senses in their new settings. In this way, this essay not only sheds light on the Latin orality that Berceo expected his audience to possess or be familiar with, but also considers how this evidence might relate to the efforts of ecclesiastical reformers as well as the experiences of pilgrims on the road to Santiago.

Este estudio examina frases latinas que se insertan a lo largo de los Milagros de Nuestra Señora, y funcionan en conjunto con fórmulas vernáculas que los críticos a menudo han identificado como ejemplos de oralidad. Mi investigación se aprovecha de aproximaciones a la cultura medieval como la de John Miles Foley y Peter Ramey que entienden la oralidad y el alfabetismo como categorías que son simultáneas en lugar de contrarias. En algunos casos, concluyo que las interjecciones latinas de Berceo son elípticas, en la medida en que palabras y frases que faltan en los fragmentos insertados parecen ser significantes en contextos vernáculos. Sin embargo, en otros casos estas inserciones se recontextualizan completamente, y pueden llegar a tener sentidos muy distintos y aún paradójicas en sus nuevos marcos. De esta manera, este ensayo no sólo arroja luz sobre la oralidad latina que Berceo esperaba que su público tuviera o encontrara familiar, sino también considera cómo esta evidencia se puede relacionar con los esfuerzos de reformadores eclesiásticos además de las experiencias de peregrinos en el camino de Santiago.

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