TED-Ed: A brief history of Spanish | Ilan Stavans

The video explores the evolution of the Spanish language, starting from the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, which led to the development of regional languages. Over time, influences from the Visigoths, Umayyad Caliphate, and the adoption of Castilian as the official language in 1492 shaped Spanish. The language spread to the Americas during colonization, incorporating indigenous words. French influence in the 18th century and independence movements in the 19th century further impacted Spanish. Today, Spanish is a global language, maintaining unity despite regional variations.

What historical event led to the rise of several regional languages in the Iberian Peninsula?

How did the Roman occupation influence the development of modern Spanish?

What impact did the Umayyad Caliphate have on the Spanish language?

In what year did the Catholic Church consolidate its power in Spain, and what was the significance of this event?

How did the Spanish conquest of the Americas affect the indigenous languages?

What role did French language and culture play in the evolution of Spanish during the 18th century?

What are some reasons why Spanish has not broken apart into new languages despite its widespread use?