Literature's Core: Genres, Book History, and Language Evolution

Literature: Definition and Characteristics

Literature is composed of a set of fictitious or imaginary texts that contrast with non-fictional accounts of real events that aim to record. In a literary text, not only what you say is important, but also how you say it. Literature fundamentally possesses two key characteristics: fiction and a particular use of language that creates a unique effect.

Readers and the Literary Canon

The literary canon is the set of literary texts that are considered significant. This depends on aesthetic taste and ideas that are prevalent at a given time. The canon changes over time.

Fiction's Role in Literature

When it comes to literature, fiction always intervenes. Even when based on facts, the writer imagines, interprets, omits certain details, and emphasizes others.

Understanding Literary Genres

The literary genre implies a way of classifying texts into different groups, each of which is distinguished by its own characteristics. The origin of the genre dates back to classical antiquity.

Classical Literary Classifications

Early classifications distinguished literature by the subject matter, by the poet's mode of imitation, and by the instruments or means of imitation. These included:

• Epic poetry
• Dramatic poetry
• Lyric poetry

Evolution of Major Literary Genres

The three main literary genres are:

• Narrative: Its most common forms are the short story and the novel.
• Dramatic: It includes texts written to be performed.
• Lyric: Its distinctive features are rhythm and musicality, characterized by figurative language.

Literary Genres and Subgenres

Within the narrative genre, we distinguish:

• Myth
• Legend
• Science
• Short story
• Novel

Within the short story and the novel, subgenres include:

• Realistic fiction
• Fantastic fiction
• Wonderful fiction
• Detective fiction (police)
• Science fiction
• Etc.

The Evolution of the Book

The history of the book includes ancient forms such as clay tablets, Egyptian papyrus scrolls, hand-copied books, Chinese paper, and the continued use of papyrus. The 11th century saw significant developments.

Ancient Libraries: Alexandria and Pergamum

The first major libraries were in Alexandria and Pergamum. Alexandria, for instance, suffered attacks from armies and was eventually destroyed.

The Origins of the Spanish Language

Spanish is one of several states of transformation that evolved from the Latin spoken in various provinces of the Roman Empire.

Linguistic Substratum Explained

A linguistic substratum refers to linguistic forms that are retained in a standard dialect, e.g., Mapuche words like 'poncho,' 'wadding,' 'hut.'