A History of the Spanish Language - Detailed Notes

  • Cambridge University Press Publication Information:

  • Published by the Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge

  • Copyright information and licensing details

  • Historical publication history (first published in 1991, second edition in 2002)

  • ISBN numbers listed for hardback and paperback editions

  • Content Overview:

  • Maps and tables are included to aid understanding of the text's historical context.

  • Prefaces detail the evolution of the publication across editions.

  • Abbreviations and symbols are defined for reference throughout the text.

  • Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Time-line:

    • Key events in Spanish history relevant to language development, from Roman conquest to the end of the 20th century (eg. 711 Islamic invasion, 1492 Granada captured)

  • 1.1 Indo-European, Latin, and Romance:

    • Spanish as a member of the Indo-European family, evolved from Latin
    • Historical migration patterns leading to the spread of Latin into the Iberian Peninsula
    • Introduction of dialects as Latin spread (e.g. Oscan, Umbrian)

  • 1.2 The Latin of Spain:

    • Process of Latinization of local languages and cultures
    • Bilingualism persistence affecting vocabulary borrowings and local language features
    • Differences in Latin retention characterized as archaism, conservatism, dialectalism, and innovation

  • 1.2.1 Archaism:

  • Spanish retains older Latin elements lost in other regions due to early Latinization

  • Examples of vocabulary (e.g. "cansar" from pre-Classical sources)

  • 1.2.2 Conservatism:

  • Retention of forms present in Classical Latin that were lost elsewhere

  • Vocabulary examples include words like "arena" and "ciego"

  • 1.2.3 Dialectalism:

  • Variability in Latin spoken due to local influences as diverse as pre-existing languages

  • Examples of phonological changes attributed to regional dialects

  • 1.2.4 Innovation:

  • New linguistic developments unique to the Peninsula

  • Changes in verb forms and vocabulary

  • 1.3 Conquest and Reconquest:

  • Visigoths' Influence:

    • Establishment of Visigothic rule and its minimal impact on the Latin language
    • Linguistic integration with the local populations and any resulting borrowings

  • Moorish Influence:

    • Arabic influences on Spanish through lexicon, morphology, and syntax following the 711 invasion
    • Resulting diversification of the Romance dialectal map

  • Christian Reconquest:

    • Strengthening of Castilian as it spread geographically and linguistically during the Reconquest (e.g. Toledo's capture)

  • 1.4 Standard Spanish:

  • Impact of Alfonso X the Learned on the standardization of the Spanish language

  • Transition from regional dialect writing to a more uniform Castilian writing

  • Strengthening of Castilian as a language of administration and culture, replacing Latin.