In Roman times Greek was the second language of learned Romans, and Greeks were around the whole Empire. In Visigothic times, Byzance had control over most of the Mediterranean coast.
Greek presence had an end with the Arabic invasion (VIII a.D.). Like for the rest of Europe, Greek is yet (along with Latin) the preferred source for neologisms.
The Romani Union of
Spain offers some data about this language. I don't know if they're accurate.
Hispania may well mean in Phoenician "Coast of Rabbits". The Phoenicians
settled by the Southern and Eastern shores; they founded Gadir (Latin Gades,
Arabic Qadis, now Cádiz, probably the oldest city in Hispania),
Sexi (Almuñécar, in Grenade), etc.
The Punic Wars caused the Romans to enter the Peninsula and the
decline of Cartaginian presence.
For many centuries Arabic was the language of culture for many Spaniards,
and Arabic culture the more developped in Europe. Poems, works on geography,
astronomy, mathematics, etc., were written in Arabic. Unhappily, in nowaday's
Spain only a handful of buildings of those times (no doubt appalling)
are taken in high esteem.
Arabic language has left many loans, mainly in Castilian and Portuguese, less in Catalonian.
In the cities of Ceuta and Melilla some Spaniards speak Arabic as their
native tongue.
| Volver al índice |
Back to Index
Página inicial | Home page |
Actualización Abril 2002 | Updated April 2002
© Manuel Sanz Ledesma |