Castilian Dialects: A Comprehensive Linguistic Analysis

Posted on Mar 3, 2025 in English Studies. Language, Literature, and Culture

Varieties of Castilian

Castilian has different dialects, categorized as historical and contemporary.

1 Historical Dialects

Historical dialects are varieties derived directly from Latin. Primitive languages simultaneous to Castilian were absorbed by its influence. There are two main historical dialects:

  • Leonese: Originating in the ancient kingdom of Leon, it retains archaic phonetic and morphological features. The Asturian Language Academy recognizes its Spanish variant. Significant features include:
    • Closing of word-final vowels (o > u, e > i: ate > comiú).
    • Groups -as, -ais pronounced as -es, -eis, -en: cows > wackes them.
    • Pronunciation of initial ‘ll’ in northern and central Leon: lobo > Llobu.
  • Aragonese: Once the language of the Crown of Aragon’s court until Ferdinand’s arrival, it is preserved by the Consello d’Aragon. Notable features include:
    • Evolution of the intervocalic Latin group -kt- to -it-: pectum > peito.
    • Initial ‘l’ becomes ‘ll’: moon > lluna.
    • Preservation of Latino groups pl-, el-, and fl-: flame.

2 Contemporary Dialects

Contemporary Castilian dialects present two aspects: northern dialects, closer to the standard, and southern dialects, which are more differentiated. Andalusian, Extremaduran, Murcian, and Canarian are southern dialects.

  • Andalusian: Spoken in the eight provinces of Andalusia, it is not homogeneous and has several varieties. Key features include:
    • Ceceo in southern Andalusia: pazar for pasar.
    • Loss of syllable-final ‘r’: bond.
    • Use of ‘ustedes’ for ‘vosotros’ in certain provinces: you’re going.
  • Extremaduran: Shares traits with Andalusian:
    • Closing of the final vowel -o to -u: benditu.
    • Use of the suffix -ino.
  • Murcian: Influenced by Moorish, Catalan, Aragonese, Andalusian, and Valencian. Spoken in Murcia and parts of Alicante and Albacete:
    • Palatalization of initial ‘l’: llengua.
    • Use of the suffix -ico: bird.
    • Maintenance of the -ns- group, similar to Aragonese: Ansi (so).
  • Canarian: Presents characteristics similar to Andalusian and American Spanish, especially in intonation:
    • Use of ‘ustedes’ for ‘vosotros’ with verbs in the third person.
    • Using simple past tense instead of the compound past.
    • Lexicon from the Guanches: BAIF (goat).

Diglossia

In cultural anthropology, diglossia is a phenomenon where a more prestigious language dominates another with which it coexists. Its uses are unbalanced, and the second language is restricted to family and colloquial situations, risking its loss. Defining features of diglossia:

  • Role and Prestige: The first language is used in education; the second language is used in the family.
  • Acquisition: The first language is acquired and perfected in school, while the second language is learned at home, as a mother tongue.
  • Literary Heritage: Cultured literature is written in the first language, while less literary value is attributed to the second language.

Bilingualism

Bilingualism occurs when two languages are used with ease and in combination in similar social situations, both having the same social and cultural prestige. There are two types of bilingualism:

  • Individual: A person has a high level in both languages and can use them interchangeably in any situation.
  • Social: A community recognizes and gives social status to both languages. Causes of social bilingualism include historical events, demographic superiority, power, demographic and cultural development, and emigration.