THE LINGUISTIC NORM IN SPANISH FROM A LEXICOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE: NATIONAL NORM VERSUS PANHISPANIC NORM

Abstract

The definition of linguistic norm in Spanish from a lexicographic perspective poses some problems and has led to heated debates. The academic Dictionary is usually given a normative value in the Spanish speaking community. However, it is not actually conceived as strictly normative as it includes entries of diverse nature such as vulgarisms, jargon, etc. On the other hand, those who criticize its linguistic centralism or lack of correspondence with the real situation of the Spanish language have rejected it as a normative reference. This criticism is more conspicuous in the Spanish-American lexicography. In the last few years, the Spanish language Academies have taken steps to create a norm with a panhispanic character as a real alternative to the establishment of national and local norms. However, it has turned to be a rather difficult task in the lexicographic field. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to provide a sounder theoretical foundation of the concept of panhispanic norm as well as useful lexicographic resources to adapt it to present-day Spanish. The alternatives are either progress towards a panhispanic norm or conflict between national norms.