Resumen

JAIMEZ, Rita. Christopher Columbus and Lope de Aguirre: the other store. Letras [online]. 2006, vol.48, n.73, pp.349-363. ISSN 0459-1283.

This study had two main objectives: (i) to analyze two letters, one by Christopher Columbus and the other by Lope de Aguirre, in the light of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), and with the help of history; and (ii) to uncover the real intentions with which these letters were written. The first letter was addressed by Columbus to the King and Queen from La Española Island in 1498. The second letter was sent by Lope de Aguirre from Valencia del Rey to King Phillip II in 1561. Both documents will be studied since they represent an important fact in Venezuelan history. Besides, both sailors were significantly controversial characters. The research methodology is based on the model developed by Wodak (2003b), which proposes five analysis categories: (1) naming forms; (2) features and particularities of named things; (3) arguments; (4) discourse orders and affirmations; (5) illocutionary force. Results indicate that (i) these strategies are present in both documents; (ii) the main purpose with which the authors wrote the letters was to legitimize their authority: Columbus had to convince the King and Queen that it was him, and nobody else, who had to continue in charge of the enterprise, Lope de Aguirre that he did justice.

Palabras clave : CDA; letters; Christopher Columbus; Lope de Aguirre; legitimize.