Romance Languages in Spain: History and Evolution

Romance Languages of Spain

Post-Roman Empire

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Latin and Roman culture declined in many regions. However, in areas with stronger Roman influence, the language persisted and diversified into various dialects known as Romance languages.

Romance Language Family

• Hispanic
• French
• Italian
• Rheto-Romance
• Romanian
• Sardinian

Several of these Latin-derived languages became historically significant.

Mozarabic

In Muslim-conquered territories, Arabic became the dominant language. However, the Christians living under Muslim rule, known as Mozarabs, preserved their Romance language, Mozarabic.

Central Romance

Castilian

During the 9th century, the Kingdom of Asturias sought to fortify its eastern border. Fernán González unified the counties under his rule, becoming the Count of Castile. He established a capital, fostered political and social development, and even influenced religious practices. This marked the rise of Castile and the decline of the Kingdom of León. Castilian became the most widely spoken language in the region.

Aragonese

Aragonese was spoken in the high Ebro region of Aragon.

Astur-Leonese

Astur-Leonese, also known as Bable, encompasses several language varieties.

Eastern Romance

Catalan

Eastern Romance languages exhibit strong geographical variations, particularly in Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands. Catalan is the official language of Andorra and is also spoken in Roussillon, France, and Alghero, Sardinia. Five main groups are distinguished: Central, Northern, Western, Valencian, and Balearic.

Western Romance

Galician

Galician flourished as a literary language in the Middle Ages (e.g., Martín Codax, Arias Nunes, Alfonso X, King Dinis of Portugal). Later, it became primarily a rural, colloquial language. In the 19th century, the Rexurdimento cultural movement revived and restored Galician as a literary language. Galician is spoken in the four provinces of Galicia, as well as parts of western Asturias and León, and the Sanabria region of Zamora. A Galician variant is also spoken in the Eljas River valley (Extremadura).

Basque

Basque is considered the oldest living language in Europe. It is spoken in the Basque Country and northern Navarre. It has been linked to Hamitic languages of Africa and Caucasian languages.