Similarity of Concepts: Spanish and Castilian Language

In my thirteen years dedicated to teaching Spanish as a foreign language, in different private language institutes, I have noticed that students of the nationalities More diverse people usually ask: "In Argentina and in the rest of Latin America is Castilian spoken? Is Spanish spoken in Spain? different?".

Although the Spanish teacher tries to clear his doubts by saying that “it is only a question of names, the language is the same, it is only one”, there are cases in which doubts persist. So, the exhibition follows the following course:

-You know the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabel of Castile and Fernando II of Aragon, those who ruled in part of the 15th century and early 16th century and supported Christopher Columbus (better known in the Anglo-Saxon language as Cristoforo Columbus) in his travels to America?

-Yes-, students over 22 years of age tend to respond, whose origins are the most dissimilar.

-Through their marriage, the kingdoms of Castilla y León and Aragon were merged, creating a powerful administration that promoted, among other things, the formation of colonial enclaves in America. Do you know Castilla?

"No," they answer most of the time.

-It is a very extensive region of Spain, occupying a third of the country. Those born in Castile are called Castilians. The language has also been called Castilian, even long before colonial times. It is the oldest name that the language had. Many Spaniards from Castile settled in the colonies of America. For this reason, in Latin America the word “Castilian” survives to name the language. Also in Spain that name subsists, although the word "Spanish" is used more.

-Now I understand perfectly.

In this way, supported by readings from here and there (on language, philosophy of language and history), I propose a plausible explanation as to why many Americans and Spaniards name the language inherited from Castile. With it, it is not intended to offer a single and exact definition, rather typical of computer languages, but to present a reflection.

Mariángeles Di Paola
Spanish classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Grammarama