The exploration of the Orient at the early modern period: Sprachknaben – Giovanni di lingua - Enfants de Langues - Jóvenes de lenguas.

Abstract

At the beginning of the modern period it was necessary for all European powers to have a number of reliable and loyal translators and linguistics mediators (interpreters) in their relationship with the Ottoman Empire. In this article, the training and position of these people shall be examined using the example of the Sprachknaben (Giovanni di lingua - Enfants de Langues - Jóvenes de lenguas) at the respective embassies in Constantinople. In the 16^th, 17^th and 18^th century, in view of the imminent threat posed by the Sublime Porte, it was of crucial importance for all European States to acquire the clearest possible knowledge of the areas and cultures of the domain of the Sublime Porte, even though for the Spanish monarchy the relations with Constantinople were of secondary interest.