Handbook for translators of Spanish historical ... - University Library

CHAPTER II
PALEOGRAPHY
The reading of manuscripts is obviously the most important
operation in the study of documents. Whether a manuscript
is to "be preserved, transcribed, or translated, it
must first "be read in part or as a whole. The ahility to
read manuscripts accurately is acquired only as a result
of actual experience in studying documents. In addition
to experience, however, the reading of manuscripts may
he facilitated hy a study of the development of handwriting,
and by making use of the scientific aids available
for that purpose.
In a study of this nature it is not necessary to delve
into the development of handwriting in great detail. Nevertheless,
a brief sketch of the history of handwriting may
be presented as an aid to the translator of Spanish historical
documents. Familiarity with types of handwriting
used in different periods of history will facilitate identification
of questioned documents. Furthermore, valuable
assistance in the reading of faded or poor handwriting
may be obtained by using certain scientific methods and
instruments devised for that purpose. The remaining portion
of this chapter presents (l) a sketch of the history
of Spanish handwriting, and (2) a brief exposition of
various scientific aids for the reading of manuscripts.
1. Development of Spanish Handwriting.
Before the Romans invaded Spain, the aboriginal tribes
of Spain spoke various Iberian dialects. They had a
native form of handwriting. This Iberian hand is to be
found only in archeological specimens, and particularly on
coins. According to certain paleographers, the letters
of the Iberian alphabet are founded on the Phoenician and
archaic Greek alphabets. ^ The most outstanding characteristic
of Iberian inscriptions is the lack of vowels. A
study of Iberian handwriting, however, falls more properly
within the field of numismatics, and, consequently, out-
de Paleograf la diplomat ica
Manual •^Jesus Munoz y Rivero ,
espanola de los siglos XI al XVII , p. 14.
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