Etymological notes on the eastern voices in the Diccionario de la prosa castellana de Alfonso X by Kasten & Nitti

Abstract

A comprehensive study of any aspect of the Middle Ages in the Iberian Peninsula cannot be thoroughly and successfully undertaken without due consideration to both its Western and Eastern social, cultural and political constituents. In the particular case of Medieval Castilian Literature, the frequent translations from Arabic and works otherwise affected by factors conditioned by the Islamic settlement in Western Europe would require a certain familiarity with those models; however, this has seldom happened on account of either sheer ignorance or an ideological prejudice against the Eastern contribution to human culture and civilization. This article aims to show the negative impact of such lacks in an otherwise impressive and excellent work like the Diccionario de la prosa de Alfonso X by Kasten & Nitti and to insist on the need for new editions of such characteristics by teams able to handle every cultural ingredient of that milieu.