History of Linguistic Advice

During its long history, the Accademia della Crusca has represented a reference point for those seeking legitimacy or explanation of linguistic problems. The Historical Archive of the Accademia holds a few letters, mainly from the end of nineteen century, that professionals and private citizens sent to academicians asking opinions and "official" definition of words.

Request for advice of 13 May 1889 sent to the Accademia by Eugenio Gnecco asking about the word monologo, not found in the Vocabolario degli accademici della Crusca (Archivio Storico Accademia della Crusca, pezzo 415, Affari e Rescritti filza 14.a. 1889-1891, sottofascicolo 10).

Request for advice of 29 May 1896 sent to the Accademia by Alessandro Ciano with a query on the exact meanings of dilettante, artista, professionista, artefice (Archivio Storico Accademia della Crusca, pezzo 417, Affari e Rescritti filza 17.a. 1895-1896, sottofascicolo 16).

Request for advice of 5 May 1898 sent by the lawyer Piero Roberti with a query on the word professore (Archivio Storico Accademia della Crusca, pezzo 418, Affari e Rescritti filza 17.a. 1897-1898, sottofascicolo 27).

The same academicians, while preparing the various editions of the Vocabolario, asked for the help of professionals from different fields for the definition of terms from specific areas: in 1889, for instance, the President of Florence Music School gives the academicians clarification about technical musical terms to add to the fifth edition of the Vocabolario.

Letter of 3 March 1889 sent by the President of Florence Music School to the Secretary of the Accademia with clarification about technical musical terms for the fifth edition of the Vocabolario degli accademici della Crusca (Archivio Storico Accademia della Crusca, pezzo 211, n° 126).