Español? Why not Spanol?

Question

Why is it Español, and Esperanza, and There is never just sp or st?

"Español" - --Mariana--, Mar 21, 2012

Answer 1

When there is a word with SP (like sputnik) we put in an E in front of it. It's because of the way we make the sounds, it's a lot easier.

I don't know any word in Spanish trat starts with SP, or ST

When we borrow words, we "Spanish up" it's pronunciation. For instance, "smog" it's in the RAE as "esmog"; and "stress" is "estrés". - comunacho, Mar 21, 2012

What a great answer! Thank you for showing that there are no silly questions! - rabbitwho, Mar 22, 2012

I never noticed this relationship until now! Thanks for the clear explanation. :) - mathslover, Mar 22, 2012

Thank you for answering with an actual answer, and not some silly post. - nicksmouse, Mar 30, 2012

Answer 2

Why can the word "bat" mean something used for baseball, but also it used for a nocturnal winged animal?

Why do we keep words like "asked" in our vocabulary when they are so hard to pronounce for most people?

Why do...?

I could go on forever with questions about how and why with the English language, but I'll stop here.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!!!!

Answer 3

Let me ask you the question from a different perspective.

• Why Spanish instead of Espanish, why Spencer and not Espencer and why Stop instead of Estop?
• Answer, because languages are that way! Not everything has a "logical" explanation in life! Just learn it and accept it!

I like your explanation:) - Silvia_Tcherneva, Mar 21, 2012

I like your answer also farallon. }:~) - jool, Mar 22, 2012

Answer 4

Because the name of the language comes from the name of the country. Español is derived from España, which is Spanish for Spain. Spain is the English translation that Spanish comes from.

Answer 5

maybe we can see some pattern here: station vs. estación; special vs. especial, etc.

Por más ejemplos: los Estados Unidos (the United States); estudiar (study); estudiente (student); esquiar (ski); la escuela (school);

We need to learn to recognize the uniqueness of the language.

Answer 6

Because the name of the language comes from the name of the country. Español is derived from España, which is Spanish for Spain. Spain is the English translation that Spanish comes from.