How Many Spaniards Speak Castilian Spanish

Castilian or Castilian?

In one of my conversations with a Mexican friend who lived in Spain, he was telling me that for a Spaniard the best way to brand a Mexican look bad is to ask what language he speaks. Any Mexican would naturally reply, “Spanish”; however, the Spaniard would correct him saying that his answer is incorrect, as he in fact speaks Castilian. This result is somewhat controversial in Spanish-speaking countries, and for certain students of the Spanish linguistic communication, as there are many factors and facts to have into account (which often are simply due to mere confusion). In the following lines I will explain the respective uses of these terms through a brief historical and geographical review of the Spanish language.

The offset key to ascertain the correct use of the term is in the term itself. Spanish. The name, although we sometimes forget, tin can provide clues equally to what information technology refers to. The linguistic communication spoken in almost all of Latin America is plainly from Spain. Information technology is precisely hither that we encounter the kickoff problem. Is it really the case that in a European country like Spain, people only speak the Spanish that nosotros all know? The answer is no. Unlike America, which was conquered and adopted languages in common from the conquering countries, Spain –being a country of the old continent– has several original languages that nosotros do not speak or know on this side of the planet. Thus, several languages such as Basque, Catalan, Galician, and the i we know as Spanish: Castilian, convene in Spain. So, is it really correct to say Castilian when at that place is more than 1 linguistic communication in Spain? Sometimes it will depend on where you are. In Espana, for example, sometimes the correct matter to say will exist Castilian, due to issues of identity between the dissimilar languages that are found in the region. However, proverb ‘Castilian’ is not incorrect, since past using this term one refers to Castilian, which is the official language of that country and is spoken by virtually all of its inhabitants. The corresponding question at present is, why is Castilian the about spoken language in Spain? To respond this question, a brief historical review is necessary. For many years, much of the Iberian Peninsula was occupied by Arab civilizations and it was thanks to the procedure of re-conquest led by the Crown of Castile [Castilla] (from where Castilian comes) in partnership with the Catholic Monarchs that the territory was recovered. So, this was the Spanish that spread throughout Spain. This is as well due to the various works of translation of various texts led past king Alfonso Ten (Castilian speaker), prior to the re-conquest. The military power of this crown allowed the Spanish linguistic communication to become, later on, the well-nigh spoken and official language in what would be known as Spain.

This same empire of the Catholic Monarchs was the one that achieved the discovery of America; that is why Castilian Spanish is spoken in nigh of its countries. Now, in an American context, the term that is most common and best understood is ‘Spanish’. In this continent information technology is non necessary to make the distinction considering the signal of reference, in theory, volition ever be the aforementioned. No country or community in America or the Caribbean has Basque or Catalan every bit mother natural language or primary language.

In conclusion, what volition often determine what is advisable in the use of the terms is the context. But, in retrospect, maxim Spanish, Castilian Castilian, or simply Spanish will not be incorrect in whatever of the cases (in essence).