[5] In 1874, the work was translated into German by linguist Julius Platzmann under the title Grammatik der brasilianischen Sprache, mit Zugrundelegung des Anchieta.

In January 1554, Anchieta went inland with Manuel da Nóbrega and together they founded a college in Piratininga, where he served as a Latin teacher for eleven years.

The grammar was only published in 1595 and, therefore, may have been revised several times after he began living with the Tupinambás—in Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo.

[11][b] The Art of Joseph of Anchieta was written in Piratininga or São Vicente, between the years 1553 (when he arrived in that region) and 1555 (when Manuel da Nóbrega took it to Bahia).

Cardoso argues that Anchieta's Art is detailed and inaccessible, stating it to be "diminutive and confusing, as we all have experienced",[17] and expressing gratitude for Figueira's alternative.