Normas para boa pronúncia da língua nacional no canto erudito = Norms for the proper pronunciation of the national language in classical singing : a translation and an updated critical edition

Abstract

Normas para boa pronúncia da língua nacional no canto erudito (Norms for the Proper Pronunciation of the National Language in Classical Singing): A Translation and an Updated Critical Edition

O Primeiro Congresso da Língua Nacional Cantada (The First Congress of the Sung National Language) took place in São Paulo, Brazil in July of 1937 with the intent of adopting a language standard to be used in artistic pronunciation of the national language (Portuguese, specifically Brazilian Portuguese). The result of this Congresso was the publication of a treatise, delineating the rules of sung Brazilian Portuguese called Normas para boa pronúncia da língua nacional no canto erudito (Norms for the Proper Pronunciation of the National Language in Classical Singing). Being the first attempt to codify and implement rules for classical singers to use in their art, this treatise is monumental. However, it is inaccessible to non-Lusophone English speakers wishing to research and learn the rules of sung Portuguese in Brazil, or at least start from the beginning, researching the root and impetus of this discussion from primary source documents. Because of the importance of the Normas in the history of diction for the arts, I provide for the first time, an English translation of this monumental first step in Brazilian history, which is the main purpose of this document and literary dialogue. The foundation for all other discussions and decisions regarding sung Brazilian Portuguese since 1937 have transpired and been made possible because of the work that was started in this Congresso and from the publication of the Normas that were the product of this Congresso. Secondary to the translation, but also of great importance, I provide an updated and critical edition of the original Portuguese text. These Normas were published in 1937 as a stand-alone work and then again in 1938 when they were included in the entire Anais do Primeiro Congresso da Língua Nacional Cantada (Annals of the First Congress of the Sung National Language) which was published the year following the Congresso. Though included in the 1938 publication of the Anais, nothing was updated to the actual Normas and since that time there has not been an updated edition published, aside from Vasco Mariz in his 1980 4th edition of A canção brasileira da câmara (The Brazilian Art Song) where he included portions of the 1937 Normas. Furthermore, there is no digital version nor is it accessible on the internet where the text can be accessed and used for study, research, and citation. Throughout my document, it will become clear that the leading experts in this field over the years have accessed, used, and cited these Normas in all their research involving Brazilian Portuguese diction for the arts, but it is still not as easily accessible as it should be today. Since it is used with so much frequency, this updated edition is necessary. To help with historical context, the prose section of this document is focused on what made with the Congress necessary, who made it happen, and what came after. Included are discussions of the evolution of the Portuguese language from the Iberian Peninsula to present day, a history of Mário de Andrade as one of the forerunners of the Congresso and subsequent Normas, and a chronological overview and review of meetings and materials that have happened or been written since 1937 that use or deal with the Normas.