Nietzsche in Brazil: The Creation of a New Lexicon

Abstract

The reception of Nietzsche’s philosophy in Brazil was marked by a remarkable phenomenon: the invention of a unique lexicon that not only translated but also reinvented his key concepts, distinctly shaping the appropriation of his thought in the Latin American context. This article investigates the formation of this lexicon, focusing on the different translations of the concept of Übermensch (such as sobrehomem, prohomem, super-homem, Além-Homem, and além-do-homem). The study analyzes how these neologisms were created through processes of vernacular composition and linguistic calques, reflecting not only a linguistic transposition but also a conceptual re-creation contextualized within Brazilian reality. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Wittgenstein’s notion of meaning as use, Searle’s speech act theory, and Putnam’s linguistic division of labor, the article demonstrates that each translation carries a secondary meaning, shaped by local debates and distinct from Nietzsche’s primary meaning. The trajectories of each term are examined, from their first appearances in the late 19th century to the more refined proposals of the 20th century, highlighting how each variant reflected distinct ideological, philosophical, and stylistic projects. It is concluded that the creation of this specific lexicon was not merely a translation exercise but a philosophical act in itself, a way of doing philosophy through the dialogue between Nietzsche and the Brazilian intellectual contexto.