¿What makes Spanish different?
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with around 570 million native and second-language Spanish speakers. It is also the second most studied language in the world after English. What makes Spanish so special? Here are some of its most outstanding features.
Phonetics
Can you tell the difference between ‘bear’ and ‘bear’? How do you pronounce each? In Spanish this does not happen since it is a phonetic language. This means every written syllabe is always pronounced the same way. Unlike other languages, in Spanish there are not many exceptions to the pronunciation rules. This makes learning Spanish easier and more accessible for foreign students.
Dialectal variety
Spanish is spoken in many countries around the world, and each of them has its own dialect. This means that Spanish can vary greatly in accents, vocabulary and expressions depending on the region. While it can be challenging for students to learn all the varieties, it can also be very interesting and widening.
Grammar
Spanish grammar can be a bit complicated for foreign students, but it is also one of the features that make Spanish such an elegant and expressive language. For example, Spanish has gender for all nouns, and verbs have different forms for each person and verb tense. Did you know that having different verb forms may be related to the fact that Spaniards only use the subject once in a while and in English you have to do it all the time? If the verb already tells you who it refers to, why being redundant with the subject?
Lexical diversity
Spanish is a language rich in vocabulary. With a long history and a variety of cultural influences, Spanish has a wealth of words that can be used to describe nuances and details. In addition, Spanish is a very creative language, and many speakers play with words to create puns and jokes.
Culture
Spanish is one of the most important languages in terms of culture. Literature, cinema, music and gastronomy are just some of the areas where Spanish has had a significant impact. Learning Spanish also means having access to a rich cultural tradition and a global community of speakers.
In conclusion, Spanish is a language that combines clear phonetics, interesting dialectal variety, elegant grammar, impressive lexical diversity and a vibrant culture. No wonder it is one of the most studied languages in the world.