Sul multilinguismo di Kristijonas Donelaitis, un "luterano illuminato" nella Prussia del XVIII secolo

This paper focuses on the “father” of the Lithuanian literary language, Kristijonas Donelaitis (1714-1780), a Lutheran pastor and poet who lived in the so-called Lithuania Minor (East Prussia). After presenting a picture of the sociolinguistic dynamics in 18th century East Prussia, the multilingual corpus of the poet’s writings is analyzed. The usage of different languages (German, Latin, Lithuanian) for different kinds of text and purposes allows for the reconstruction of the poet’s linguistic ideology. The relationship between language and ethnicity is further investigated through some significant passages of the poet’s masterpiece, the poem Metai (‘The seasons’). The linguistic, pastoral, and pedagogical activity of Donelaitis recalls in some respects that of Martin Luther, the main touchpoints being the didactical approach towards the reader, the adoption of a popular language and their role for the future development of a national language in their respective countries. Therefore, a specifically “Lutheran” critical perspective can offer useful insights into the comprehension of Donelaitis’ linguistic and artistic activity. At the same time, several traits clearly distinguish Luther and Donelaitis; such differences can be understood in the light of the influence that the Enlightenment exerted on the poet. It is known that Enlightenment’s main ideas reached East Prussia and quickly spread in this region during the first half of the 18th century. Hence the idea that Donelaitis represents a new type of “enlightened protestant” for his time.