Spanish language

History

The Spanish language developed from vulgar Latin, with influence from Celtiberian, Basque and Arabic, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula (see Iberian Romance languages). Typical features of Spanish diachronical phonology include lenition (Latin vita, Spanish vida), palatalization (Latin annum, Spanish año) and diphthongation (stem-changing) of breve E/O from vulgar Latin (Latin terra, Spanish tierra; Latin novus, Spanish nuevo). Similar phenomena can be found in most other Romance languages as well.

Related Topics:
Vulgar Latin - Celtiberian - Basque - Arabic - Iberian Peninsula - Iberian Romance languages - Phonology - Lenition - Palatalization

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During the Reconquista, this northern dialect was carried south, and indeed is still a minority language in northern Morocco.

Related Topics:
Reconquista - Minority language - Morocco

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The first Latin to Spanish dictionary (Gramática de la Lengua Castellana) was written in Salamanca, Spain in 1492 by Elio Antonio de Nebrija. When Isabella of Castile was presented with the book, she asked, ¿Para qué quiero una obra como ésta si ya conozco el idioma?, "What do I want a work like this for, if I already know the language?", to which he replied, Señora, la lengua es el instrumento del Imperio, "Ma'am, the language is the instrument of the Empire."

Related Topics:
Elio Antonio de Nebrija - Isabella of Castile

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From the 16th century on, the language was brought to the Americas, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marianas, Palau and the Philippines, by Spanish colonization.

Related Topics:
16th century - The Americas - Federated States of Micronesia - Guam - Marianas - Palau - Philippines - Spanish colonization

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In the 20th century, Spanish was introduced in Equatorial Guinea and Western Sahara.

Related Topics:
20th century - Equatorial Guinea - Western Sahara

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For details on borrowed words and other external influences in Spanish, see Influences on the Spanish language.

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