Overview of Spanish Language History

Study Notes

Overview of Spanish Language History

Origins:
- Spanish evolved from Vulgar Latin, the colloquial form of Latin spoken by the common people during the Roman Empire.
- The first written documents in Spanish date back to the 9th century.
Influences:
- Visigothic Influence (5th-8th centuries): After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths contributed several words, mainly related to governance and warfare.
- Arab Influence (711-1492): The Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula, leading to the incorporation of numerous Arabic words, especially in areas like science, mathematics, and agriculture.
Development in the Middle Ages:
- The emergence of regional dialects, such as Castilian, Catalan, and Galician.
- The "Glosas Emilianenses" (10th century) are among the earliest instances of written Spanish.
Standardization:
- The 13th century saw the rise of Castilian as the dominant dialect under the reign of Alfonso X.
- The publication of the first Spanish grammar book by Antonio de Nebrija in 1492 was crucial for standardizing the language.
Expansion and Evolution:
- Colonial Era (16th-18th centuries): Spanish spread to Latin America, the Philippines, and parts of Africa.
- Language adapted and incorporated indigenous words from various regions.
Modern Era:
- The Royal Spanish Academy (Real Academia Española) was established in 1713 to oversee the Spanish language and its usage.
- Spanish continues to evolve, influenced by globalization and technology.
Contemporary Spanish:
- Spanish is now the second most spoken native language in the world, with over 460 million speakers.
- Variations exist with regional dialects (e.g., Mexican, Argentine, Caribbean) and differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar.

Key Milestones

9th Century: First written records of Spanish.
711-1492: Arabic influence during the Moorish occupation.
13th Century: Rise of Castilian as the literary standard.
1492: Nebrija's grammar book published.
1713: Establishment of the Royal Spanish Academy.
20th-21st Centuries: Globalization and diversification of Spanish dialects.

Important Terms

Vulgar Latin: The spoken form of Latin that evolved into the Romance languages.
Glosas Emilianenses: Early Spanish glosses providing insight into the language's development.
Real Academia Española: Institution responsible for regulating the Spanish language.

Overview of Spanish Language History

Spanish originated from Vulgar Latin, which was commonly spoken during the Roman Empire.
The earliest written Spanish documents date back to the 9th century.

Influences on Spanish

Visigothic Influence (5th-8th centuries): Contributed military and governance-related vocabulary post-Roman Empire.
Arab Influence (711-1492): Significant Arabic vocabulary was absorbed due to the Moorish occupation, especially in science, mathematics, and agriculture.

Development and Standardization

Regional dialects started to emerge in the Middle Ages, including Castilian, Catalan, and Galician.
The "Glosas Emilianenses," written in the 10th century, represent some of the earliest recorded Spanish.
In the 13th century, Castilian gained prominence as the literary standard under Alfonso X's reign.
The first grammar book of Spanish was published by Antonio de Nebrija in 1492, which was pivotal for the language's standardization.

Expansion and Modernization

Colonial Era (16th-18th centuries): Spanish expanded to Latin America, the Philippines, and parts of Africa, incorporating numerous indigenous words.
The Royal Spanish Academy (Real Academia Española) was founded in 1713 to oversee and regulate the usage of Spanish.
Contemporary Spanish continues to adapt and change due to globalization and technological advancements.

Contemporary Spanish Language

Spanish is the second most spoken native language worldwide, with over 460 million speakers.
Variations in regional dialects exist, with notable differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar across regions such as Mexico, Argentina, and the Caribbean.

Key Milestones

9th Century: Emergence of the first written Spanish texts.
711-1492: Introduction of Arabic influences during the Moorish rule.
13th Century: Establishment of Castilian as the primary literary dialect.
1492: Publication of Nebrija's grammar book, marking a major standardization step.
1713: Creation of the Royal Spanish Academy to regulate the language.
20th-21st Centuries: Continued globalization and diversification of Spanish dialects.

Important Terms

Vulgar Latin: The spoken form of Latin that evolved into various Romance languages, including Spanish.
Glosas Emilianenses: Early Spanish glosses that highlight the language's developmental phase.
Real Academia Española: The authority responsible for maintaining standards in the Spanish language.

Description

Explore the evolution of the Spanish language from its Vulgar Latin roots to its modern form. Discover the various influences that shaped its development, including Visigothic and Arabic contributions, as well as the emergence of regional dialects. This quiz highlights significant historical milestones in the language's journey towards standardization.