What Are the Top Interesting Facts About the Spanish Language?
Learning a new language is always fun. When you start learning a completely different language, you can learn about its origin, culture, and so many interesting stories related to the evolution of the language. And if it's the second-most spoken native language in the world, it can open up a whole new world of connection and communication with others. With more than 500 million native speakers worldwide, Spanish is one of the most commonly spoken languages. And if you, too, are planning to learn Spanish, we can assure you that it can be a rewarding experience, as it will allow you to stretch your cognitive abilities, including improved memory, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills.
While learning Spanish can broaden your cultural horizons, it can also introduce you to the diverse and rich cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, including film, music, art, and literature. In this blog, we have narrowed down some of the most astonishing facts about the Spanish language that would certainly increase your interest in learning this beautiful language.
Top 5 Astonishing Facts About the Spanish Language
While it’s beneficial to know the commonly used Spanish expressions, knowing some of the most interesting facts about the language can be just as useful. Read on to learn more.
• Spanish Uses Inverted Exclamation and Question Marks
In most languages, question and exclamation marks are used at the end of a question or exclamation. However, in Spanish, inverted exclamation (¡) and
question marks (¿) are used to highlight the sentences that end with an exclamation or question. For instance, in Spanish, “Jose, where are you going?” is written as“Jose, ¿adónde vas?”.
In case you want to learn this beautiful language and are in search of an Instituto Cervantes Accredited Center in India, get in touch with us. At Hispanic Horizons, we provide the best Spanish classes in Mumbai such as Spanish A1 to C2 (Group classes), Spanish language corporate training, and more.
• Arabic Influences Spanish a Lot
From 711 to 1492, Arabs ruled Spain, and during this time period, Arabic culture and language were introduced to many Spanish regions. As a result, many Arabic phrases and words were taken directly from Arabic, particularly in the fields of philosophy, mathematics, and science. These borrowed words are known as "Arabisms" and they make up about 8% of the Spanish vocabulary. Some of the most common Arabic-derived words in Spanish include "alcázar" (castle), "alfombra" (carpet), "aceite" (oil), "algebra" (algebra), "alcohol" (alcohol), "almohada" (pillow), "alfiletero" (thimble), and "almuerzo" (lunch), among others.
• It Is Also Known as Castellano and Español
If you’re planning to learn Spanish, you must know that Spanish speakers often refer to their language as Castellano or Español. However, there's no difference in the usage or meaning of the two terms, and can be used interchangeably. The term "Castellano" comes from the Castile region of Spain. It was the main source of the Spanish language and culture as well as the center of the Spanish monarchy.
The term "Español," on the other hand, is used to distinguish the Spanish language from other languages spoken in the same region, such as Basque, Galician, and Catalan. It is derived from the word "España," which is the Spanish word for Spain.
• Spanish Is the Official Language in 21 Countries
Not only in Spain, but Spanish is the official language in 21 countries. This includes Dominican Republic, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala,
Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Paraguay, and many other countries.
Also, did you know that the United States alone has 45 million Spanish speakers? Well, that’s true, and by 2050, it is expected to become the largest Spanishspeaking country in the world.
• It has Latin Origins
In addition to Arabic, Spanish was heavily influenced by Latin. It’s estimated that about 75% of Spanish vocabulary is derived from Latin and is also closely related to other languages with Latin origins, such as Portuguese, Italian, and French.
The Bottom Line
There you go. Now that we have discussed some of the most interesting facts about the Spanish language, you must be even more interested in learning this beautiful language. In case you are looking for a renowned Spanish language institute to learn Spanish, reach out to us. At Hispanic Horizons, we offer a wide range of Spanish courses that are designed to cater to your learning needs.To get in touch with our team, visit https://hispanic-horizons.org/ or call +91 8082647938.
Address: Vas Chambers, Hill Road, 1St Floor Bandra West, Mumbai India: 400050 Website: https://hispanic-horizons.org/