The linguistic and pedagogical ideas on the first grammar for women in Portugal (Francisca de Chantal Álvares, 1786)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present one of the most unknown grammars of the Portuguese language, Breve Compendio da Gramatica Portugueza, para o uso das Meninas que se educaõ no Mosteiro da Visitação de Lisboa, por huma Religioza do Mesmo Mosteiro, published in Lisbon, in 1786. After investigating the history of the monastery, its authorship was attributed to Francisca Chantal Álvares. We sought to identify the linguistic and pedagogical ideas of the grammar book, through a critical reading. Following the theoretical and methodological assumptions of Linguistic Historiography, we have made a schematic description of the content, considering the educational context for which it was intended. It was produced to serve as didactic support in the first female education institution in Portugal. It was also the first Portuguese grammar written by a woman. The methodology is normative. It also emphasizes the importance of knowledge of the mother tongue for learning other languages. It ends with a Brief Warning containing pronunciation rules for the French language. Although it does not present bibliographical references, there is evidence that one of the main sources had been the Arte da Grammatica da Lingua Portugueza, of Reis Lobato (1770).