The officialization of the academic Spanish orthography. History, proposals and controversies in the Spanish press in the first half of the 19th century

Abstract

This article offers a historiographic study of the officialization of Spanish orthography in the 19th century. By examining the Spanish press during the first half of the 19th century, we intended to evaluate the significance of the proposals for reform put forward during this period. Viewing linguistic historiography from both an internal and external perspective, we analyse the role of teachers as well as that off the press which, as a forum for public opinion, not only reflects the process that leads to the formalization of academic orthography, but also serves to broadcast and accelerate this process.