Why did Pietro Bembo win?

The Prose della Volgar Lingua, written by Pietro Bembo, was published in Venice in 1525.

This significant linguistic work is structured as a dialogue and is divided into three books. The third book, in particular, stands out as it contains a grammar of the Italian language. Unlike conventional grammar books that follow a systematic approach, Bembo’s grammar emerges organically from the dialogues between the protagonists, resulting in a less rigid and more conversational form.

The dialogue unfolds in the year 1502, and its protagonists are Giuliano de’ Medici (son of Lorenzo de’ Medici), Federico Fregoso, Ercole Strozzi, and Carlo Bembo (Pietro Bembo’s brother, talking).

_{Portrait of Giuliano de Medici by Sandro Botticelli}

In this intellectual exchange, Carlo articulates the language theories put forth by his brother Pietro Bembo. The other characters, representing diverse linguistic perspectives, engage in a discourse that encapsulates the prominent linguistic debates of the time. These debates revolved around key themes such as the perceived supremacy of Latin over the vernacular, the contention on using the Florentine dialect actually spoken in Florence, and the proposition that Italian should be a composite of the languages spoken in various courts.

Bembo delves into a comprehensive analysis of linguistic history, asserting that the vernacular language emerges from the fusion of Latin with the languages spoken by the invading populations in Italy. This contaminated language underwent refinement through the efforts of writers, so that Bembo emphasises the crucial role of literary language in any considerations about language usage.

The vernacular language he envisions as the standard is the Florentine, but not the one used in 16th-century Florence but rather the Tuscan language found in 14th-century literature.

This refined language, as exemplified by the works of Petrarch and Boccaccio (and to a lesser extent Dante), is the linguistic ideal. The language to be used cannot be learnt by speaking with contemporaries in Florence but rather through the act of reading books from the literary past.

Bembo’s conception of language is undeniably influenced by classicism, asserting that the sought-after language should not align with the ever-changing spoken language of the people. According to Bembo, a language must possess stability, nobility, and elevation. This perspective leads him to dismiss Dante as an ideal model, given the diverse linguistic expressions, including swear words and low registers, found in the Commedia.

Instead, Bembo praises Petrarch as the epitome of linguistic refinement, highlighting his deliberate selection of elevated and polished language. Similarly, Boccaccio is considered a fitting model when focusing on the introductory and narrative sections of his works, steering clear of the dialogues that may incorporate less refined language.

Bembo’s theory, emphasising the perfection of language in the past and advocating for imitation of earlier works, found widespread success for several reasons. Firstly, this approach resonated with the existing literary landscape in Italy during that period. Italian had already become a prominent literary language through the emulation of major works, with figures like Petrarch and Boccaccio serving as influential models. Moreover, the alignment with classicist ideals, particularly the admiration for the past as a golden era to aspire to, contributed to the theory’s popularity.

The rapid dissemination of printing technology further increased the need for a standardised language. A standardised language was, indeed, essential for producing homogeneous books that could be understood across different regions, thereby expanding the market for printed materials. Additionally, the advent of printing meant that decisions made within printing houses had immediate and widespread consequences. Grammars and vocabularies, championed by institutions like the Accademia della Crusca, played a crucial role in reinforcing and disseminating Bembo’s linguistic thesis.

These linguistic resources provided guidelines for authors and printers, contributing to the establishment of a standardised Italian language