Castilian
What actually is Castilian when in reference to Spanish. I hear it used as a synonym to the language and I also here it used only in discussion to Spanish spoken in the Castle region of Spain. This term is confusing me as I only heard in since I got deeper into the research of the Spanish language. Can anybody help clear this up?
Thank you.
5 Answers
When I was a child we used the term "castellano" even more than "español". We said: Estoy hablando chino o castellano?
I would say that now we use "español" a little more than "castellano". Both terms indicate exactly the same language: Spanish.
The problem appeared in history, when there were many regions(or kingdoms ) in Spain that included Andalucía, Cataluña, Castilla etc. The regional variation of Spanish spoken in Castilla was of course castellano. As usual, the winner through war and domination often sets the way. Spain was kind of unified by the powerful Castilla so castellano became the prevailing Spanish dialect, the "correct" and "educated" one and therefore the "official" language of a "unified" Spain. Thus Spanish and castellano became the same and the other regional Spanish varieties dialects.
Every time more with globalization people are calling Spanish español but castellano is excellent too. I use it automatically a lot. Everybody does. Español is perfect too.
Maybe someone who knows the history of Spain can give a better explanation.
Castilian is basically Spanish in it's original form. It was then later called Español as it adapted and changed through time and as it spread. Since Spanish originated in Spain, Hispanyards often say they speak Castilian or Castellano because that is where Castilian/Español originated. Both mean the same thing.
I think Polenta said it all. I always say that I was taught Castillian Spanish (from Castilla). The z's and the c's are pronounced differently when they precede a vowel. "Tha ra GO tha" instead of "Sa ra GO sa", "Thee be lee tha theeON" instead of "See be lee sa seeON", etc. I know that "Thee" is not the right phonetic, but I don't know how to express the sound. Ah, it's like the sound in "theoretical".
Most of the Spaniards that arrived in the New World were from the poorer regions of Spain... from Andalucía and Extremadura where they spoke with the "s" sound. That is why most Latin Americans speak that way. Castilla and Aragón were the dominant Spanish provincias. Remember Ferdinand and Isabel, "los reyes católicos".
James Michener wrote a book, "Iberia", which is about the history of Spain (and Portugal?). It's been many years since I've reread it, but I recall that he addressed very succinctly the issue of pronunciation. It's a great book that my American Spanish teacher recommended. I took her suggestion to heart and Michener became my favorite author. My teacher and that book 'lit the fire" in me to learn more Spanish and to travel.
Hello!
This post from 2015 might be the answer to your question with link. Spain's Linguistic Diversity. They don't speak just Spanish (Castilian) in Spain.
Hope this helps.
Regards!
