Usage and Implications in Former Colonies
Both names are commonly used in parts of the world colonized by Spanish speakers, such as Latin America and the Canary Islands. As in Spain, the implications are complex. The most common term used in Latin America is español, generally considered to be a neutral term simply reflecting the country the language came from. For people who use this term, castellano may possibly imply greater correctness as it sometimes does in Spain, or it may merely be an alien term, referring to a region in a far-off country.
However, some Latin Americans prefer the term castellano, especially in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. One reason for this is that many early Argentine settlers were Galician, for whom castellano had long been associated with the Spanish state in addition to Castile. Along with Basques or Catalonians, Galicians might perceive the term español as imperialistic and misrepresenting the language of Castile as the language of Spain.
Castellano may also be used to refer to the dialect of Spanish spoken in Castile while español would generally refer to Standard Spanish. In practice, usage tends to be a matter of local custom, rather than reflecting any philosophical or political position. However, the fact that Castile is now a region subsumed within modern Spain has been the decisive factor in the preferential usage of español in an international context.
Some constitutions avoid the issue by talking about "the national language".
Read more about this topic: Names Given To The Spanish Language
Famous quotes containing the words usage, implications and/or colonies:
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—Fran Lebowitz (b. 1951)
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—Henry James (1843–1916)
“I have often inquired of myself, what great principle or idea it was that kept this Confederacy so long together. It was not the mere matter of the separation of the colonies from the mother land; but something in that Declaration giving liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time. It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)