Carme Riera is the first academic to hold the position of vice director of the RAE. Like many institutions, the house that ensures the proper use of Spanish also has its shortcomings in terms of female representation, but the Mallorcan writer is willing to change things, without the Royal Spanish Academy ceasing to remain faithful to its motto: “ Cleans, fixes and gives splendor.”
How do you feel as the new vice director of the RAE?
I feel, I feel very good and very grateful to the colleagues who voted for me. Also very excited, especially because it is the first time that a woman holds this position.
Are you taking this step because it is important for women to occupy positions of responsibility?
There are currently 11 of us academics, we represent 24% of the total number of academics, 46. Starting in January, there will be almost as many women as men on the RAE governing board. The librarian, the vice-secretary, a member and myself, vice-director, are women. The director, the secretary, the treasurer, the censor and a member, are men. But it is necessary for more women to enter. There are women, with as much capacity as men, possible candidates to fill the next vacancy, the one left, unfortunately, by the death of Javier Marías.
What do you want to contribute from your new position?
The statutes of the RAE indicate that the mission of the vice director is to collaborate with the director and make up for his absence. I have not met with him yet, because the positions voted on the first Thursday in December become effective after the holidays, in January.
The RAE has established agreements with technology companies on artificial intelligence. Is AI a threat or an opportunity for the language?
Depends. I am not, at the moment, too enthusiastic about AI. I think it is still in its infancy, taking the first steps and is not very respectful of copyright, a fundamental aspect for me.
What is the RAE missing today?
More academic, without a doubt. In addition to finishing some of the large projects that are being worked on, such as the Historical Dictionary, and continuing with the rest.
What changes would need to be made?
In my opinion, enhancing auctoritas, not authority, which is a somewhat different thing. Auctoritas, from augeo, also implies making growth. Grow the RAE's commitment to education, a primary issue today, given the linguistic insufficiencies of many people, especially young people, and continue providing guidance regarding the good use of the language. There is also another aspect that seems fundamental to me: to continue promoting, if possible, the relationship with the twenty-three academies that make up the Asale (Association of Spanish Language Academies). The Spanish language is the heritage of all speakers, not only those born in Spain, which is why the Dictionary is also a work in which the twenty-three academies participate.
There are colleagues of hers who see her as a future director of the RAE. Is the current step on this path?
No, normally it is the secretary who then applies as director. No vice principal, to my knowledge, has since been elected principal.
If it came to that, what would be your first decision?
If it came to that, I would be happy to tell you, the first one, with pleasure. But I must point out that there are quite a few academics who would do a very good job directing the RAE.
How do you see the finances of the RAE?
Finances are never superfluous. However, Santiago Muñoz Machado, the current director, has obtained, from both the State and the Board of Trustees of the pro RAE Foundation, the financing that we were missing and we can move forward without problems, at least for the moment.
How do you see the future of the Spanish language in the countries where it is spoken?
Almost 500 million have Spanish as their mother tongue. We are the second mother tongue in the world in relation to the number of users, after Mandarin Chinese, according to updated data from the Cervantes Institute. However, the language of technology is English, which operates in an invasive way, often due to the stupidity of those who simply accept it. We have fallen into the papanatism of believing that if we write “Merry Christmas” we are more elegant than if we write “Happy Holidays.” The fact of having a language as widely spoken as Spanish, with a common spelling to the rest of the countries in America, I believe is an enormous privilege and also a first-rate economic element. Linguistic cohesion is vital for the future of the Spanish language and must be taken into account.
And the problems detected by the reports on reading comprehension of students in Spain?
They worry me a lot. I think it is a tragedy that must be faced. If our students do not understand what they read and do not know how to express themselves in writing, they are cannon fodder, even if they do not go to any war. Not long ago, the RAE presented a report, prepared by linguist Ignacio Bosque, with the active participation of various academics and the approval of the plenary session, which warned about the deficiencies of teaching and the improvements that should be adopted. In my opinion, the competent authority should get to work immediately. From my point of view, a State pact on education is urgent.
