Colombia... castellano o espanol?

[Looking4Wife]

According to both Pimsleur and Lonely Planet, the Spanish language is more commonly referred to as "castellano" in Latin America (rather than espanol).

Have you guys that have been to Colombia found that to be the case?

Gracias

[kented]

... in response to Colombia... castellano o espanol?, posted by Looking4Wife on Feb 21, 2005

Castillian Spanish is the Spanish of Spain.  The major differences are the vosotros form of the verb (second persaon familiar plural, covered by ustedes in LA) and the letter "c: is pronounced th.  

Listen to the songs of Marta Sanchez.  She is unmistakably from Spain because of her pronunciation of the letter "c".  

Spain's Spanish is considered pure just like the British consider their English the pure English.  In CR, they use vos instead of tu for second person singular familiar.  I heard they also do this in Argentina.  It all originated in the old world and there are evolutions which occured in the Americas.

[Malandro]

... in response to Re: Colombia... castellano o espanol?, posted by kented on Feb 22, 2005

Say Zaragoza.   and Spain's Castillian Spanish is only pure because it comes from there and they say it is.

but latin american Spanish is the Castillian language as well.

[Gator]

... in response to Colombia... castellano o espanol?, posted by Looking4Wife on Feb 21, 2005

My wife really never refers to her Spanish as castellano but she does FIRMLY believe that Colombians speak the most "pure" form of Spanish which is generally believed to be castellano.  After some years of living in Colombia I am finally starting to pick up regional accents like. "Their from Medellin," or "He is from Bogotá,"  I can damn sure pick up Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican accents but not like the wife.

Very seldom do you see, "Se habla castellano,"in a shop window.

[thunderbolt]

... in response to Not Really, but..., posted by Gator on Feb 21, 2005

ALL the Latin Americans think that they speak the best and purest form of Spanish.  Well, maybe cubans and dominicans don't...

[WS244]

... in response to Re: Not Really, but..., posted by thunderbolt on Feb 21, 2005

test

[jediknight]

... in response to Colombia... castellano o espanol?, posted by Looking4Wife on Feb 21, 2005

[This message has been edited by jediknight]

spanish is a general term that is used to describe the languages spoken in spain and latina america, just like english is used to describe the language in the us, england and australia for example, although each country has it's own accent and vocabulary, but in general it's english.

when colombians use the term castellano, they are referring to the language in spain from the region of castilla,they use it to differentiate it from the other languages in spain like catalan, vasco and gallego which are used in different regions. castellano is used to describe a "pure" form of the language, backed by the royal spanish academy.

[Malandro]

... in response to Re: Colombia... castellano o espanol?, posted by jediknight on Feb 21, 2005

they are different languages from Castillian and not simply a derivative or a dialect.  "Spanish" is generally referred synonymously to Castillian because it is the dominant language of Spain and the language that was transported to the Americas.  

[Malandro]

... in response to Colombia... castellano o espanol?, posted by Looking4Wife on Feb 21, 2005

Gallego and Basque and a few others depending on the region.

[thunderbolt]

... in response to yes, since in Spain they also speak Cata..., posted by Malandro on Feb 21, 2005

As far as I know, Gallego is very similar or identical to portuguese, spoken in NW Spain.  Basque, obviously, is a completely different language.  Catalonian is considered a separate language, but similar to spanish.  Also, there are distinct dialects in Asturia, Leon, Aragon and Andalusia.

However, L4W, unless you aim to speak the language perfectly (which most likely you won't), don't focus on details like this.  People will know that you are a foreigner, and as long as you understand them, and they understand you, you will be fine.

[Malandro]

... in response to Re: yes, since in Spain they also speak ..., posted by thunderbolt on Feb 21, 2005

as far as I know Gallego is NOT identical to Portuguese but more like Portuguese than Spanish.  Siblings whereas Spanish and Portuguese would be like first cousins.  

I believe Catalan is somewhat like both French and Spanish .

[Looking4Wife]

... in response to yes, since in Spain they also speak Cata..., posted by Malandro on Feb 21, 2005

So as to not sound TOTALLY ignorant when I set foot in Colombia, will I be saying:

1.  Hablo castellano un poco

OR

2.  Hablo español un poco

Gracias

[Malandro]

... in response to Hablo castellano (o español) un poco?, posted by Looking4Wife on Feb 21, 2005

both are used.

[Pete E]

... in response to yes, since in Spain they also speak Cata..., posted by Malandro on Feb 21, 2005

Even though Basque is a regional language in spain,it is far different from spanish.It is one of the few languages in europe that pre dates latin and have no latin structure at all.There are some common words with spanish,from centuries of people living with the 2 languages.Tia and Tio being an example.
If you go to www.Jaialdi.com,a web site that talks about a Basque celebration I will attend this year in Boise Idaho,go to the bottom left of the page and click on the red and green flag you will see the same home page in Basque.Not like anything you have seen before,not at all like spanish.
Both of my paternal grand parents immigrated to the US from Lequitio,Viscaya Espana early in the 1900's.There were 6 children including my father,who spoke only Basque when he started school but learned english early and had no accent like the old people that immigrated.None of the 6 married a Basque and none of my generation speaks Basque,even though we heard it spoken alot as kids.
The Basques are perhaps the oldest civilization in the world,going way back in  pre recorded history.The famous cave paintings in southern France were done by Basques.
Basques are known alot because of ETA,a seperatist group that wants to succeed from Spain.They were thought initially responsible for the Madrid Train bombing.
There is still alot of animosity in the Basque country about the outcome of the spanish civil war when Hitler backed Franco with his air force to decide the war.There was a  famous bombing of the Basque capital of Guernica by the German air force.Picasso,also a Basque did a famous painting of it. Franco  became dictator of Spain untill he died in the 70's.It was illegal to speak Basque under the Franco regime.
Interestingly,there is actually a political move with the legislature in Spain for the Basque country to succeed from Spain and for some strange reason it is being takin seriously.
There are lots of Basques names in South America.Basques were well know as navigators on the early spanish expeditions.Many people have been here so long they do not even know their name is Basque.Bolivar was a Basque.Uribe is also a Basque name.
My name,Eiguren,has a version spelled Eguren in South America,both names coming from an earlier spelling,Eigiguren.Peru has a famous Basque poet,Jose Eguren.Lots of others with the name in south Ameriuca,even though it is a farely rare Basque name.Alot of Basque names end in things like zable or aga,as in Aristazable or Arriaga.

Pete

[OkieMan]

... in response to Basque is totally different, posted by Pete E on Feb 21, 2005

Pete,

Thanks for the info.  I love history, so that was fascinating to me.  Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that there are Basques in France as well as Spain.  If I remember correctly, my ex-wife had a first cousin who married a guy who was French Basque.  But, I only met him once.  I got another question.  Since I am basically what we call Heinz 57 ( a mutt), do you think that Teresa Heinz Kerry would adopt me?  I could use the money. ha

                          OkieMan