Spanish & Portuguese Research Guide

The Cambridge History of Latin American Literature is by far the most comprehensive work of its kind ever written. Its three volumes cover the whole sweep of Latin American literature (including Brazilian) from pre-Columbian times to the present, and contain chapters on Latin American writing in the USA. Over forty specialists in North America, Latin America and Britain have contributed to what is not only the most reliable, up-to-date, and convenient reference work on its subject, but also a set of books containing innovative approaches and fresh research that will expand and animate the field for years to come. The History is unique in its thorough coverage of previously neglected areas, in its detailed discussion of countless writers in various genres, and in its inclusion of extensive annotated bibliographies. Volume 1 begins with pre-Columbian traditions and their first contact with European culture, continuing through to the end of the nineteenth century. New World historiography, epic poetry, theatre, the novel, and the essay form are among the areas covered in this comprehensive and authoritative treatment.

Covering a wide range sources, this review of Spanish literature features analysis of works by Cervantes, Calderón and Garcia Lorca, as well as lesser know authors. It charts a full range of literary periods and movements, including the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Modernism.

The Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century Latin American and Caribbean Literature draws together entries on all aspects of literature including authors, critics, major works, magazines, genres, schools and movements in these regions from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. With more than 200 entries written by a team of international contributors this reference covers the popular to the esoteric, including entries on: Delmira Agustini; best-sellers; Norge Espinosa; historical novel; modernism; Leonardo Padura; poetry; Juan Rulfo; Juan Pablo Sutherland; and translation. The book should be a valuable reference resource for those studying Latin American and/or Caribbean literature as well as being of interest to those following Spanish or Portuguese language courses.

Spanish literature includes some of the world's greatest works and authors. It is also one of the most widely studied. This reference looks at the literature of Spain from the perspective of women's studies. Though the volume focuses on the literature of Spain written in Castilian, it also includes survey entries on the present state of women's literature in Catalan, Galician, and Basque. Included are hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries for numerous topics related to Spanish literature, including literary periods and genres, significant characters and character types, major authors and works, and various specialized topics. Each entry discusses how the topic relates to women's studies. Entries for male authors discuss their attitudes toward women. Female writers are considered for the restrictive cultural contexts in which they wrote. Specific works are examined for their representations of female characters and their handling of women's issues. Each entry is written by an expert contributor and closes with a brief bibliography. The volume concludes with a list of works for further reading.

The Historical Dictionary of Latin American Literature and Theater provides users with an accessible single-volume reference tool covering Portuguese-speaking Brazil and the 16 Spanish-speaking countries of continental Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela). Entries for authors, ranging from the early colonial period to the present, give succinct biographical data and an account of the author's literary production, with particular attention to their most prominent works and where they belong in literary history. The introduction provides a review of Latin American literature and theater as a whole while separate dictionary entries for each country offer insight into the history of national literatures. Entries for literary terms, movements, and genres serve to complement these commentaries, and an extensive bibliography points the way for further reading. The comprehensive view and detailed information obtained from all these elements will make this book of use to the general-interest reader, Latin American studies students, and the academic specialist.

Latin America has a rich literary tradition that is receiving growing amounts of attention. The body of Latin American mystery writing is especially vast and diverse. Because it is part of Latin American popular culture, it also reflects many of the social and cultural concerns of that region. This reference provides an overview of mystery fiction of Latin America. While many of the authors profiled have received critical attention, others have been relatively neglected. Included are alphabetically arranged entries on 54 writers, most of whom are from Argentina, Mexico, and Cuba. Every effort has been made to include balanced coverage of the few female mystery writers. Each entry is written by an expert contributor and includes a brief biography, a critical discussion of the writer's works, and primary and secondary bibliographies. The volume closes with a general bibliography of anthologies and criticism.

The Historical Dictionary of Latin American Literature and Theater provides users with an accessible single-volume reference tool covering Portuguese-speaking Brazil and the 16 Spanish-speaking countries of continental Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela). Entries for authors, ranging from the early colonial period to the present, give succinct biographical data and an account of the author's literary production, with particular attention to their most prominent works and where they belong in literary history. The introduction provides a review of Latin American literature and theater as a whole while separate dictionary entries for each country offer insight into the history of national literatures. Entries for literary terms, movements, and genres serve to complement these commentaries, and an extensive bibliography points the way for further reading. The comprehensive view and detailed information obtained from all these elements will make this book of use to the general-interest reader, Latin American studies students, and the academic specialist.

Spanish cinema is emerging as one of the most exciting, fascinating, and special cinemas in the world. Not only are others viewing Spanish films, but they are adopting Spanish producers and Spanish actors as their own. While Spanish cinema has been maturing for a long time and has been producing excellent directors, actors, and films for decades_including during the dark times of the Franco regime_only now is it winning numerous fans not only at home but also abroad. And with directors like Pedro Almod-var, actors and actresses like Javier Bardem and PenZlope Cruz, and films such as Abre los ojos and Alatriste to build upon, the outlook for Spanish Cinema appears brighter than ever. The Historical Dictionary of Spanish Cinema provides a better understanding of the role Spanish cinema has played in film history through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on producers, directors, film companies, actors, and films.

"Entre 1726 y 1739 publica la Real Academia Española su primer repertorio lexicográfico, el «Diccionario de la lengua castellana, en que se explica el verdadero sentido de las voces, su naturaleza y calidad, con las phrases o modos de hablar, los proverbios o refranes, y otras cosas convenientes al uso de la lengua [...]», conocido como el Diccionario de autoridades."

El Diccionario de la RAE es la obra de referencia para más de 500 millones de hablantes de español en todo el mundo. La nueva edición del Diccionario, revisado en profundidad, alcanza las 93,000 entradas. Junto a la eliminación de términos muy locales u obsoletos, incorpora nuevos términos que se han generalizado en nuestra lengua, como precuela o pilates. La nueva edición tendrá 6,000 términos más que la de 2001. La RAE ha trabajado con lasveintidós academias americanas de la lengua para ofrecer de nuevo una obra panhispánica. La Real Academia Española se fundó hace trescientos años con el objetivo principal de elaborar el Diccionario de la lengua española. En 1726 se publica el primer tomo del Diccionario de autoridades y en 1780 la primera edición del Diccionario de la lengua española.

El Diccionario panhispánico de dudas (DPD), cuya primera edición impresa —octubre de 2005— se puede consultar en línea, da respuesta, desde el punto de vista de la norma culta actual, a las dudas lingüísticas más habituales (ortográficas, léxicas y gramaticales) que plantea el uso del español.