I was recently sent a video where Meghan Markle says she worked at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires. In the video, the host asks her if she speaks Spanish and to my surprise and that of 500 million Spanish speakers the world over, she replies that in Argentina they speak a different kind of Spanish. There they speak Castilian. 

For Spanish speakers, this statement might sound odd, as if Castilian and Spanish were different languages. So, for anyone who might have doubts, here’s an explanation.

The language spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries is globally known as “Spanish,” but it is also often called “Castilian.” This duality can cause confusion, but it has deep historical and cultural roots.

The term “Castilian” has its origins in the Kingdom of Castile, one of Spain’s historical regions. Castilian developed in this region and expanded as Castile unified with other Iberian kingdoms, especially after the union of the Catholic Monarchs and the subsequent Reconquista. The term reflects this particular regional history.

On the other hand, “Spanish” refers to the language of Spain in its entirety, including all its variants and dialects. This term became more popular later, especially during the expansion of the Spanish Empire, when the language spread across the Americas and other parts of the world.

Regional Uses and Preferences

In Spain, the preference between “Castilian” and “Spanish” can vary by region. In autonomous communities with co-official languages, such as Catalonia, the Basque Country, or Galicia, “Castilian” is more commonly used to distinguish it from local languages. This helps avoid ambiguity and highlights the country’s linguistic diversity.

In Latin America, “Spanish” is generally more common and widely used in all Spanish-speaking countries. However, “Castilian” is also used, especially in academic or formal contexts, and in some countries like Argentina and Uruguay.

From a linguistic perspective, “Castilian” can specifically refer to the variety of Spanish that originated in Castile, while “Spanish” encompasses all the dialectal varieties of the language worldwide. In academic and linguistic studies, the use of one term over the other may depend on the focus and context of the study.

Political and Cultural Perspectives

The choice between “Castilian” and “Spanish” can also have political and cultural connotations. In some regions, using “Castilian” may be a way to acknowledge and respect Spain’s linguistic diversity, while “Spanish” can be seen as a more unifying and global term.

In summary, both “Castilian” and “Spanish” are correct and valid terms for referring to the language spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries. The choice between them depends on historical, geographical, cultural, and personal contexts. Understanding these differences allows us to better appreciate the richness and diversity of the language we share.

Whether you prefer “Castilian” or “Spanish,” what’s important is to recognize the beauty and history behind our common language.