History of Spanish
Learn how Spanish developed from earlier languages, especially Latin, and is continuing to evolve today.
A Linguistical Look at Spanish
Linguists classify languages in many ways. This article explains three ways that languages are classified and how Spanish fits in them.
Linguists classify languages in many ways. This article explains three ways that languages are classified and how Spanish fits in them.
Is 'Emails' a Spanish Word?
Discussion of whether words such as 'emails' are legitimate Spanish.
Discussion of whether words such as 'emails' are legitimate Spanish.
'James' and 'Diego' May Share Common Origin
The Spanish equivalent of James is usually given as Diego, yet the two names don't seem at all alike. Here's why.
The Spanish equivalent of James is usually given as Diego, yet the two names don't seem at all alike. Here's why.
Why is There So Much English on Spanish-Language Web Sites?
Find out why Spanish-language Web sites have so many words in English.
Find out why Spanish-language Web sites have so many words in English.
Where Is Spanish Spoken Outside Spain and Latin America?
It's common knowledge that Spanish is the language of most of Spain and most of Latin America. But there are other places where Spanish is spoken as well.
It's common knowledge that Spanish is the language of most of Spain and most of Latin America. But there are other places where Spanish is spoken as well.
Spanish Words Derived from Arabic
After Latin and English, Arabic is probably the biggest contributor of words to the Spanish language.
After Latin and English, Arabic is probably the biggest contributor of words to the Spanish language.
Spanglish: English's Assault on Spanish
English words are rapidly becoming part of the Spanish language.
English words are rapidly becoming part of the Spanish language.
Origin of the Names of the Days of the Week
The names of most of the days of the week in both English and Spanish come from the names of planets and the Roman gods.
The names of most of the days of the week in both English and Spanish come from the names of planets and the Roman gods.
Origins of the Abbreviation 'Vd.'
Although the abbreviation Ud. is most commonly used for usted in Spanish, sometimes you'll see the abbreviation Vd. Here's why.
Although the abbreviation Ud. is most commonly used for usted in Spanish, sometimes you'll see the abbreviation Vd. Here's why.
Trivia for Spanish Students
Do you know some interesting facts about Spanish? If so, it may help you with this quiz.
Do you know some interesting facts about Spanish? If so, it may help you with this quiz.
Facts, Figures and Statistics about Spanish
Here are some facts about Spanish you may be interested in knowing.
Here are some facts about Spanish you may be interested in knowing.
Varieties of Spanish
Although Spanish is recognized as a single language, there are differences from country to country.
Although Spanish is recognized as a single language, there are differences from country to country.
Why Does Spanish Add an Initial E to Some Words?
One characteristic of Spanish you may have noticed is that many words that are similar to English and start with letter combination such as "sp" or "sc" start with an e in Spanish. For example, "school" in English is escuela in Spanish and "special" becomes especial. Why is that?
One characteristic of Spanish you may have noticed is that many words that are similar to English and start with letter combination such as "sp" or "sc" start with an e in Spanish. For example, "school" in English is escuela in Spanish and "special" becomes especial. Why is that?
Why Is Spanish Sometimes Called Castilian?
Sometimes Spanish is known as Castilian. This article explains why there are two names for the language and what the differences are between the two terms.
Sometimes Spanish is known as Castilian. This article explains why there are two names for the language and what the differences are between the two terms.
Origins of the Ñ in Spanish
The ñ is the only Spanish letter of Spanish origins.
The ñ is the only Spanish letter of Spanish origins.
Definition of 'Homonym'
Glossary definition of "homonym" with examples in Spanish and English.
Glossary definition of "homonym" with examples in Spanish and English.
Definition of 'Calque'
Definition of the linguistic term 'calque' with examples in Spanish and English
Definition of the linguistic term 'calque' with examples in Spanish and English
Alfabeto - Alphabet
A look at the origins of the English word "alphabet" and the Spanish word alfabeto.
A look at the origins of the English word "alphabet" and the Spanish word alfabeto.
Size of Spanish Vocabulary
Although Spanish speakers have far fewer words at their disposal than English speakers do, the smaller vocabulary of the language shouldn't be seen as a sign of inferiority.
Although Spanish speakers have far fewer words at their disposal than English speakers do, the smaller vocabulary of the language shouldn't be seen as a sign of inferiority.
Introduction to Ladino
Ladino had its origins in 1492, when Jews were expelled from Spain. Today, somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 people speak Ladino, most of them in Israel, although very few of the people who use it are monolingual.
Ladino had its origins in 1492, when Jews were expelled from Spain. Today, somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 people speak Ladino, most of them in Israel, although very few of the people who use it are monolingual.
Origins of the 'Lisp' of Spain
Once upon a time there was a Spanish king who had a lisp, and so many Spaniards copied him that there mispronunciation because the norm — or so the story goes. But don't believe it.
Once upon a time there was a Spanish king who had a lisp, and so many Spaniards copied him that there mispronunciation because the norm — or so the story goes. But don't believe it.
Is 'Emails' a Spanish Word?
Like it or not, many English words, especially those relating to technology, are becoming part of the Spanish language.
Like it or not, many English words, especially those relating to technology, are becoming part of the Spanish language.
Why Two Forms of the Imperfect Subjunctive?
What now exist as two alternate forms of the imperfect subjunctive used to be two separate tenses.
What now exist as two alternate forms of the imperfect subjunctive used to be two separate tenses.
Center for Applied Linguistics
Promotes greater understanding of languages and cultures.
Promotes greater understanding of languages and cultures.
Linguistic Society of America
Advancing the scientific study of language.
Advancing the scientific study of language.
La dialectología española
This site emphasizes the regional variations of Spanish, with several articles on the evolution of Spanish in the United States. In Spanish.
This site emphasizes the regional variations of Spanish, with several articles on the evolution of Spanish in the United States. In Spanish.
Spanish for Speakers of Latin
An excellent overview of how Latin vocabulary and grammar changed as they morphed into Spanish.
An excellent overview of how Latin vocabulary and grammar changed as they morphed into Spanish.
History of Spanish
Academic articles explain how Spanish pronunciation and grammar have changed over the centuries.
Academic articles explain how Spanish pronunciation and grammar have changed over the centuries.
A Quick Guide to Old Spanish
Click on the examples to hear how Spanish was pronounced hundreds of years ago.
Click on the examples to hear how Spanish was pronounced hundreds of years ago.
Todo ... acerca de la historia del español
"Everything you always wanted to know about the history of Spanish and never dared to ask." In Spanish.
"Everything you always wanted to know about the history of Spanish and never dared to ask." In Spanish.