La poeta and la poetisa?

Question

My question is-

Is there any difference between la poeta and la poetisa? I do know that both are correct, but I hear that la poetisa is used more. Is this another regional thing?

My name has always been la poeta, and until now I had never heard the other term... and its kind of growing on me...jeje.

Nice seeing you around:) - 00494d19, Apr 7, 2010

Thanks Heidita, hey, if you are up for it, I posted a poem that I could use some help with. :) - NikkiLR, Apr 7, 2010

Answer 1

"Poeta" is a person who writes poems - generic term. "Poetisa" is specifically a woman who write poetry - so it definitely should be appropriate for you!

Appart from that, I suppose that which term is used is largely a matter of choice and preference. The Dictionary of the RAE does not discriminate.

Oh, fun! I see you made your choice already! :-) - Gekkosan, Apr 7, 2010

Jaja, how could I not have? He said the term was appropriate for me! Really though, it was a good answer. - NikkiLR, Apr 7, 2010

Answer 2

Bueno, bien mirado, Ricardo, en este caso, la palabra es feminista no machista, al fina y al cabo termina en a

el poeta/ la poeta

Poetisa es más bien un término "poético", algo finolis, diría yo, se habla normalmente de poeta.

Por ejemplo, Antología de Poetas Españolas Contemporáneas

Resultados 1 - 10 de aproximadamente 6.550 de "poetas españolas"

Resultados 1 - 10 de aproximadamente 3.620 de "poetisas españolas.

Thanks Heidita! - NikkiLR, Apr 7, 2010

Answer 3

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help. If anyone is still up for it, I have a poem floating around here called Alma Abatida that still needs some proofing. I posted it here, but really didn't get any replies...

Answer 4

When refering to a woman you should say "la poetisa".

Refer to my thread about ¿Es el español un idioma machista? a while ago. Thanks.