Why learning Spanish means understanding its global roots

If you’re learning Spanish, you’re not just picking up a new language—you’re unlocking a rich tapestry of global history, culture, and communication. Spanish, spoken by over 500 million people worldwide, is one of the most multicultural and dynamic languages on the planet. Its vocabulary reflects centuries of cultural exchange, migration, and conquest, making it a truly global language with deep and fascinating roots.

At C2 Barcelona we offer more than just grammar and conversation classes. We take you on a cultural journey through the diverse origins of the Spanish language, from Arabic and Latin to Indigenous American languages, French, and modern English. By understanding where Spanish comes from, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of how it works—and speak it with greater confidence and curiosity.

Whether you’re studying Spanish in Barcelona, preparing for travel, or pursuing personal or professional goals, learning about the linguistic influences that shaped Spanish will enrich your experience and help you connect more meaningfully with the language and its speakers.

Arabic Influence: Centuries of Cultural Exchange

Arabic had a profound impact on Spanish, especially during the period of Al-Andalus (711–1492), when much of the Iberian Peninsula was under Muslim rule. Today, Spanish includes thousands of words of Arabic origin, particularly in fields like science, agriculture, architecture, and administration.

Some common examples include:

  • “alcalde” (mayor)

  • “almohada” (pillow)

  • “azúcar” (sugar)

  • “aceituna” (olive)

  • “limón” (lemon)

Many of these words begin with “al-“, which comes from the Arabic definite article.

English Influence: The Language of Globalization

In recent decades, English has become a major contributor to the Spanish lexicon, especially in areas like technology, social media, and sports. These modern borrowings are known as anglicisms.

Examples include:

  • “software”, “chat”, “email”, “wifi”, “marketing”

  • Verbs like “chatear” (to chat), “tuitear” (to tweet), and even “googlear” (to Google)

This shows how Spanish continues to evolve and adapt in a globalized world.

French Influence: Elegance and Refinement

Before English dominated the international scene, French had a strong influence on Spanish, especially in the realms of culture, fashion, and cuisine. These borrowings are known as gallicisms.

Examples include:

  • “joya” (jewel)

  • “jamón” (ham)

  • “hotel”, “garaje”, “chef”

Many of these words entered Spanish during the 18th and 19th centuries, when French culture was highly prestigious in Europe.

Italian Influence: Artistic and Cultural Exchange

Spanish and Italian are both Romance languages with a shared Latin origin, and they’ve influenced each other throughout history, particularly in the arts.

Spanish borrowed words such as:

  • “novela” (novel)

  • “caricatura” (caricature)

  • “escopeta” (shotgun)

  • “soneto” (sonnet)

These words reflect the impact of Italian literature, music, and art during the Renaissance and beyond.

Indigenous American Languages: New Worlds, New Words

The arrival of Spanish explorers in the Americas introduced them to unfamiliar plants, animals, and concepts—many of which were named in the local languages and later incorporated into Spanish.

From Nahuatl (spoken in Mexico):

  • “chocolate”, “tomate”, “aguacate”

From Quechua (spoken in the Andes):

  • “puma”, “cancha” (sports field), “llama”

These words are now part of global Spanish, used and understood by speakers around the world.

Spain’s Regional Languages: Internal Diversity

Spanish has also borrowed from other languages spoken within Spain itself, such as Catalan, Galician, and Basque.

From Catalan:

  • “paella”, “vinagre”, “faena”

From Galician:

  • “macho”, “chubasco”, “morriña” (a feeling of nostalgic longing)

From Basque (Euskera):

  • “izquierda” (left), “pizarra” (slate), “cencerro” (cowbell)

This internal richness adds another layer to the complexity and beauty of the Spanish language.

Greek Roots: Science and Philosophy

Many scientific and intellectual terms in Spanish have Greek origins, especially in medicine, philosophy, and mathematics.

Examples include:

  • “problema” (problem)

  • “idea”

  • “hepatitis”

  • “matemáticas” (mathematics)

These words were usually transmitted through Latin, but their roots go back to Ancient Greece.

Germanic Influence: From Visigoths to Modern Terms

The Germanic tribes that settled in the Iberian Peninsula after the fall of the Roman Empire also left their mark on Spanish vocabulary.

Older borrowings include:

  • “guerra” (war)

  • “ropa” (clothes)

  • “espía” (spy)

More recent additions from modern German and English include:

  • “búnker”, “hámster”, “lídar” (from Germanic roots)

Learn Spanish in Barcelona Through Language and Culture

At C2 Barcelona, we’re passionate about exploring the cultural depth and linguistic diversity of the Spanish language. By understanding its multicultural roots, our students gain a richer, more immersive learning experience.

📍 Join us in Barcelona and take your Spanish to the next level—surrounded by history, culture, and people who love language as much as you do.

👉 Discover our Spanish courses and start your journey today!