Debates finiseculares entre autores españoles y latinoamericanos sobre el regeneracionismo español

Abstract

This article explores the relevance of fin-de-siècle transatlantic debates in order to gain an understanding of the historic, geographical and linguistic dimensions of the Spanish regenerationism movement. Specifically, it focuses on the dialogues between Fernando Ortiz and Rafael Altamira on the role of the “indiano”, as well as the dialogues between Miguel de Unamuno and Rubén Darío on the possibility of renewing the Castilian language in the American territory. The article further analyzes the use of biological and botanical rhetoric in regenerationist language, in addition to the influence that Darwinist theories had in this historical period. Consequently, it challenges the traditional historiographical view of Spanish regenerationism as a movement circumscribed to its national borders.