Spain has four official languages, each with their own particularities, reflecting the history of the regions in which they are spoken. As such, internal translation has become an essential tool, currently on the rise.
What are the official languages of Spain?
The Spanish Constitution establishes Castilian Spanish as the state’s official language, though some Autonomous Communities have a second co-official language on the same level as Spanish.
Here is a list of Spain’s official languages:
- Castilian Spanish.
- Basque.
- Catalan.
- Galician.
Below, you’ll find a summary of their characteristics.
Castilian Spanish
Internationally known simply as Spanish, within Spain itself this language is known as Castellano, or Castilian, as the other co-official languages are, of course, also Spanish. It comes from the Latin implanted by the Romans when they conquered these lands. The initial Literary Latin developed into a more vulgar variant when the Rome natives began to leave, mixing with traces of Greek, Celtic, and Germanic languages.
The later arrival of the Muslims, which culminated in the formation of Al Andalus, saw the development of dialectical differences and varieties. The Reconquista, concluded by the Catholic Monarchs, led to the adoption of Spanish as the kingdom’s official language. Today, it is the second most widely spoken language in the world. Did you know that it is the native language of over 400 million people? Up to 21 countries recognize it as their official language. As you can see, the Spanish language’s greatest strength lies its immense weight around the world.
Catalan
This language is mainly spoken in the autonomous communities of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community. It is also a Romance language derived from Vulgar Latin and shares similarities with Spanish, French, and Italian. Its most significant peculiarities are the pronunciation of the sounds /ɾ/ and /ʎ/. It has a rich literary tradition and a significant presence within the worlds of academia and culture thanks to teaching and the media.
Basque
Also known as Euskera, this is a unique and mysterious language shared by a few provinces in the north of Spain and south-east of France. It has no clear relation to any other known language! It is assumed to be a pre-Indo-European language. Basque has a very complex grammar and peculiar pronunciation, with guttural sounds and combined consonants that can be difficult for non-native speakers.
Galician
This is a co-official language heavily influenced by Portuguese. It is mainly spoken in the region of Galicia and has its roots in Vulgar Latin. It is supported by a rich literary tradition, with such great authors as Rosalía de Castro. This language stands out for its smooth and melodic pronunciation, the abundance of nasal sounds and its complex grammar, with verbal conjugations and noun declensions.
Other languages and dialects
Alongside the official languages of Spain, other regional dialects are also spoken:
- Valencian. Very similar to Catalan, but with a few differences.
- Canarian. A Spanish variant with African influences.
- Asturian or Bable. An old Romance language.
- Murcian.
- Andalusian.
- Aragonese or Fabla.
Considering all the above, internal translation is vital in order to facilitate communication between the diverse cultures and languages present within Spain. It has become a linguistic bridge to ensure mutual understanding, while also serving to promote respect and recognition of linguistic and cultural diversity.
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