WHY SPANISH IS KNOWN AS THE ROMANTIC LANGUAGE?

Spanish is the 2^nd most spoken language across the world with about 414,000,000 speakers in 21 nations. Such a vast dominance makes it varied in dialects across different regions. About 600 years ago it was nothing more than a regional vehicle of speech and expression. But time favored and it successfully transcended the geographical and political barriers to become either the 1^st or the 2^nd language of 21 states in the world. Spanish is regarded as the member of the Indo-European family of languages as people of both Asia and Europe migrated in between the two great continents. This eventually led to the mixing of dialects and grammar.

Such is the magnificence of this language that prompts me to dig into the historical evolution of Spanish in Spain. Without waiting any further, I would like to go back into the 5^th Century B.C.  Latin- the language of Roman Empire was predominantly spoken in the Italian peninsula and Mediterranean region. In 3^rd century B.C. Romans invaded Spain, use of Latin was hence triggered in this region. Locales proficient in already existing Celtic language merged it with the Latin to give birth to Vulgar Latin. This later become the reason for Spanish being known as Romantic language.

At the same time, several other Latin dialects were being used in the region which collectively were known as Hispanic Latin.

Spanish peninsula was subsequently conquered by German Vernacular speaking Visigoths but failed to influence Latin in an impressive style. Spain was then invaded by the Islamic Moors of Africa in 8^th Century. They successfully influenced the art, culture & language and managed to sustain their existence for about 4 centuries. Their Arabic united with Hispanic Latin to evolve Mozarabic. However, North Western Catholic Spanish region, Castile remained free from their invasion.

Castile took opportunity of the weakening Moors and started consolidating its power, subsequently driving out the Moors completely from the entire Spanish Peninsula. This was the time when Spanish started taking shape. Now the Castilian form of Spanish dialect started to emerge and spread not only in the conquered territories but also others adjoining them. Seeing this expansion, the King of Castile, Alfonso X took measures to standardize the Castilian dialect across the territories in 13^th century. During his tenure a new refined language i.e. Castilian form of Spanish took birth. This formed the basis for other dialects of Spanish in the world that exists today.

In 1492, Antonio De Nebrija wrote a book on Spanish grammar- Arte De La Lengua Castellana. Further Cristopher Columbus travelled to North America and propagated the Spanish language which gradually spread to South American continent.

Spain has formally adopted the Castilian form of Spanish dialect as its first and second language. The journey that Spanish has undertaken is quite exciting. More and more people are joining it to make it more entertaining in the effort to globalize the world community for mutual harmony, growth and prosperity.