Chilean Academy of Language

The Chilean Academy of Language is one of the twenty-three corresponding academies of the Royal Spanish Academy. It is part of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language (ASALE) and the Institute of Chile.

Foundation and purpose

It was established in Santiago on June 5, 1885, initially with 18 full members appointed by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), with the purpose of:

1. Ensure the purity and splendor of the Spanish language;
2. To contribute to the work of the Royal Spanish Academy and the Association of Spanish Language Academies;
3. Collaborate with other institutions in matters related to the language and literature, especially the Chilean language.

Currently, its members are elected by co-optation. The institution has 36 full members, a variable number of corresponding members in different regions of Chile and abroad, and four honorary members.

Awards

Grants five prizes annually:

• Academy Awardthe author of the best literary work published in Chile.
• Alejandro Silva de la Fuente Awardthe journalist who has stood out for his good use of the language in his work.
• Alonso Award by Ercillathe person or institution that has contributed to the knowledge and dissemination of Chilean literature.
• Doctor Rodolfo Oroz Awardthe authors of scientific studies on the language.
• Oreste Plath Prizeto the person or institution who has stood out for the promotion and dissemination of Chilean popular art.

Posts

The Academy publishes the following periodicals:

• Bulletin of the Academy of Languagesince 1915 (72 almost annual numbers).
• Cuadernos del Centenariosince 1985, a series that brings homage to deceased members and specialized works.
• Idiomatic notessince 1996, a quarterly newsletter in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in Chile.

He has published dictionaries, including:

• 1976. Chilean-speaking dictionary.
• 2010. Dictionary of Spanish use in ChileMN editorial.

Other works:

• 2013. I think about it and I say it wrong. Language notes for correct use of the languageCatalonia.
• 2020. Sex, gender and grammar. Ideas on inclusive languageCatalonia.
• 2020. The catheter's the hood. Refreshments and sayings in Chile, work funded by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage.

Members

Directors

Since its foundation, the Academy has had the following directors:

1. José Victorino Lastarria (1885-1888)
2. Monsignor Crescent Errázuriz Valdivieso (1914-1931)
3. Miguel Luis Amunátegui Reyes (1931-1949)
4. Alejandro Silva de la Fuente (1949-1952)
5. Ricardo Dávila Silva (1952-1959)
6. Rodolfo Oroz Scheibe (1959-1980)
7. Alejandro Garretón Silva (1980)
8. Roque Esteban Scarpa (1980-1995)
9. Alfredo Matus Olivier (1995-2018)
10. Adriana Valdés Budge (2018-2021)