Grammatical memories: João Ribeiro for children and youth

Abstract

This study recovers João Ribeiro’s grammatical memories in two works: Gramática Portuguesa (Curso Primário) and Gramática Portuguesa (Curso Superior), produced in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when the child was not seen as a miniature adult anymore. The Initial Considerations, Morphology and Syntax of both works are analyzed with the support of Cultural History and History of Linguistic Ideas. The analysis shows that both books are similar in their approach to the topics, but the author discusses them in more detail in the work addressed to the youth. Also, one can conclude from the analysis that both books are anchored either in the works of philosophical influence or in works of historical-comparative orientation; in particular, the Gramática Portuguesa (Curso Primário) presents exercises and illustrations.