Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It’s the mother tongue of over 495 million people, while a further 24 million Spanish speakers have learned it as a foreign language. It’s the official language of no fewer than 20 countries (plus the territory of Puerto Rico). That’s not all; Spanish also holds official status within a number of international institutions, such as the UN (where it’s one of six official languages), as well as the Organization of American States (OAS), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), and the Mercosur (Southern Common Market).
Read on to discover more about what makes el idioma español so fascinating – and so unique!
What is the Spanish language?
Spanish is a romance language, meaning it originally evolved from Latin (more on that later!). While it originated in Europe, today there are 19 Spanish-speaking countries outside of Spain – and it’s also the second most widely spoken language in the United States. It’s the tongue of renowned writers such as Cervantes, Lorca, Paz, and Allende, and is the language of 11 winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Where is it spoken?
Spanish can be considered a global language, thanks to its prevalence across continents. Although widely associated with countries such as Spain, Mexico, and Argentina, Spanish is the official language of 20 countries. Beyond those, it’s also spoken extensively elsewhere, with an astonishing 57 million Spanish speakers in the US, accounting for 13.7% of the entire population.
The 20 countries where Spanish holds official status are mostly found in Latin America, although you might be surprised to learn it’s also widely spoken in Equatorial Guinea. This former Spanish colony is the only African country where Spanish is an official language.
Here’s the full list:
Latin America:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Spain
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Europe:
- Spain
Africa:
- Equatorial Guinea
Each of these countries has its own variant of the Spanish language, with local idioms, vocabulary and expressions.
What are the most widely used dialects of the Spanish language?
It’s not surprising, given its impressive global coverage, that Spanish differs enormously, depending on where it’s spoken. The Spanish of Chile and Honduras are widely considered to be the most divergent variants, although considerable differences can be found across the Spanish-speaking world.
To identify the most widely spoken Spanish dialect, we have to go to the Spanish-speaking country with the largest population – Mexico. With 125 million native speakers, this area is recognized for especially clear pronunciation. European Spanish speakers might consider some Mexican Spanish expressions a little old-fashioned, as it has retained elements from the colonial era that have faded from use in Europe.
Here are some particularities of some of the other major Spanish dialects:
- Castilian Spanish (Spain)
The dominant variant in Spain, Castilian Spanish is known for its use of vosotros for the informal plural “you”, which is rare outside of Spain. There are many vocabulary differences, too, such as coche for car, rather than carro (the term used across Latin America).
- Rioplatense Spanish (Argentina and Uruguay)
This dialect has a very distinctive pronunciation, with the ll (such as in calle) being pronounced with a /sh/ or /zh/ sound (rather than /y/). There are also strong Italian influences, due to the wave of immigration to these countries at the end of the 19th century.
- Chilean Spanish
The Spanish used in Chile is known for its rapid delivery, making it hard for the untrained ear to understand. It’s also rich in local idioms and slang terms known as chilenismos.
- Colombian Spanish
Colombia is known for its neutral, respectful dialect, making it easy to follow and relatively free from slang expressions.
- Caribbean Spanish
The Spanish of the Caribbean has been influenced by African languages. It’s considered to have a fast delivery and an almost melodic quality.
- Andean Spanish
In the Andes, Spanish is rich in regional words, influenced by local indigenous languages. The relative isolation of many communities may explain why these distinctive terms rarely appear in other regions.
- Central American Spanish
In countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, or Costa Rica, the Spanish language varies considerably, even in the preferred form of “you”. There’s also a whole host of regional slang terms and vocabulary that is influenced by indigenous languages such as K’iche’ and Garifuna.
What’s the history of the language?
The story dates to the days of the Roman Empire when Latin-speaking Romans expanded their territory and conquered the Iberian Peninsula (today’s Spain and Portugal). At the time, the languages spoken in the region were Basque, Celtiberian, and Iberian. However, as the Romans used Vulgar Latin (the name given to the spoken form of the language), this eventually led to the emergence of Old Spanish.
Primarily used in the Kingdom of Castile, early Spanish was a mix of Latin and local languages. This dialect went on to become more dominant as the Kingdom of Castile expanded – and that’s why today, the primary form of Spanish used in Europe is known as Castilian Spanish (although within Spain, there are many dialects and regional variations).
It wasn’t until the very end of the 15th century that Spanish spread to Latin America, when Christopher Columbus set sail on his First Voyage. While colonization resulted in Spanish becoming established across many parts of the Americas, local indigenous languages remained influential, leading to the distinct regional differences seen in Latin American Spanish today.
What are the challenges of translating Spanish into English?
Given the considerable differences in the Spanish language, one of the greatest challenges when translating Spanish to English lies in ensuring mastery of the particular variation used in the source text. Many Spanish translators specialize either in Castilian Spanish or Latin American Spanish.
This is not solely because of the variations (such as local idioms, preferred ways to refer to people, and other regional stylistic norms), but also due to the differences in cultural contexts. For instance, references to local traditions, foods, or even well-known personalities, can be tricky to translate into English as they do not hold the same (or even any) level of familiarity for the target audience.
In this situation, many Spanish translators choose to localize the content, instead, choosing a reference that will resonate with English speakers, while trying to keep the same connotations and overall meaning. Capital Linguists’ vast network of skilled Spanish translators are adept at navigating these linguistic and cultural challenges. With Spanish experts from around the world, they can select translators who are well-versed in the Spanish variant you need, to ensure a faithful and culturally appropriate translation.
How easy is Spanish to interpret?
While translating written Spanish requires an in-depth knowledge of local stylistic features, interpreting the spoken word also brings its fair share of challenges. Accents, slang terms, and variations in speech delivery can all complicate the interpretation process, which often has to be carried out in real time. This demands quick thinking by the interpreter, who may also have to grapple with local references, humor, emotion, and colloquialisms.
True mastery of the language is a given, but Capital Linguists’ expert Spanish interpreters are also skilled in emotional intelligence, allowing them to establish meaningful connections between the two parties from the outset. If you’re planning your next Spanish-to-English (or vice versa) translation or interpreting project, why not reach out to us today? We’re sure to be able to make it a success!
