Now lost in the mists of time is the moment when my eyes fell upon a book called See It and Say It in Spanish on my parents’ bookshelf and my love of other languages, peoples and cultures began. I fell in love with the ‘otherness’ of Spanish – the new world that another language takes you to. My 8 year-old self loved the new words, the sounds they made and the thought that I could communicate directly with people from Mexico, Spain and Argentina. It was the start of a lifelong love of Spanish and Spanish was the start of a lifelong love of languages. In this blog, I hope to explain why Spanish is an excellent introduction to the many joys of discovering another language, people and culture.
Learning any new language can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but it can also be daunting and challenging. With so many languages to choose from, how do you decide which one to start with? I would argue that Spanish is one of, if not the best language to start your learning journey, for several reasons. Spanish is not only a widely spoken, useful and highly valued language, but also a gateway to a rich and diverse world of culture, history, music and art.
Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world, after English, Mandarin Chinese and Hindi, with around 500 million native speakers and an estimated 75 million second language speakers. It is also the official language of 21 countries, spanning across Europe, Latin America and Africa. Given that it’s also spoken as an “optional and voluntary language” in the Philippines, its reach even extends to Asia. This means that by learning Spanish, you can communicate with millions of people around the globe and access a vast amount of information and resources in a myriad of fields and domains.
Learning Spanish can also boost your career prospects, as it’s one of the most in-demand languages in the global market. According to the British Council’s 2017 Languages for the Future report, Spanish is consistently ranked in the top five languages needed in the UK across a wide range of sectors, including business, government and diplomacy. Spanish is also a key language for trade, tourism, education and research, as well as for cultural and social exchange. As I have discovered throughout my career, knowing Spanish can open up many opportunities and benefits for you, both personally and professionally.
However, learning Spanish is not only about learning a language, but also about learning a culture. Spanish is the language of some of the most influential and celebrated artists, writers, musicians and filmmakers in history, such as Pablo Picasso, Gabriel García Márquez, Frida Kahlo, Pedro Almodóvar, and many, many more. By learning Spanish, you can enjoy and appreciate their works in their original language and gain a deeper insight into their creative vision and expression. If film is not your thing, what about Spanish-language music? There really is something for everyone there. From the increasingly popular reggaeton to salsa and merengue and then to pop, rock and even hip-hop, listening to Spanish-language artists in their native language allows you to appreciate the sentiment and subtlety of the lyrics.
Spanish is also the language of some of the most fascinating and diverse countries and regions in the world, each with its own unique history, traditions, and identity. By learning Spanish, you can explore and discover the beauty and diversity of Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, Honduras, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea and many more. You can also experience and enjoy their cuisine, music, dance, festivals and customs and learn a great deal from their perspectives and values.
With that in mind, and to whet the appetite, just imagine travelling to Mexico, a country renowned for its vibrant culture and spicy cuisine. Learn to make authentic tacos, delve into the history of ancient civilisations like the Mayans and Aztecs and celebrate the colourful Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). And what about stepping out on the streets of Cuba, where time seems to stand still. Discover the rhythms of salsa and rumba, immerse yourself in the history of a seemingly unique Latin American nation. Then move south to Bolivia. With its diverse landscapes, from the Andes to the Amazon, it offers unparalleled adventure. Learn about the indigenous cultures, visit the mesmerising Salar de Uyuni and explore the charm of cities like Sucre. Heading north and west from Bolivia, Peru beckons with its ancient wonders like Machu Picchu and the enigmatic Nazca Lines. Taste the exquisite fusion of Incan and Spanish cuisine, and enjoy the vibrant celebrations during Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. I could go on!
Aside from the wealth of cultural and entertainment offerings, Spanish is an excellent first foreign language to learn. Why? For one thing, because it can help you unlock other languages, especially those that belong to the Romance branch of the vast Indo-European family. These include Italian, Portuguese, French, Romanian and Catalan, among others. These languages share many similarities with Spanish, such as vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, making them that bit easier to learn and more approachable once you have a foundation in Spanish. In addition to that, unlike French, for example, Spanish pronunciation is relatively straightforward. The written letters closely match the sounds, making it easier for learners to speak confidently and read and spell new words. Consider, for example, Spanish testigo versus French témoin (‘witness’) or Spanish maravilloso versus French merveilleux (‘marvellous’).
Learning Spanish can also help you understand words that it has ‘loaned’ to other languages, of which there are many. For example, did you know that words like patio, cockroach, mosquito, guerrilla, cannibal and bodega in English are all of Spanish origin? By learning Spanish, not only do you improve your general linguistic awareness and skills, but, as a bonus, you can expand your vocabulary and improve your comprehension in other languages too.
So to conclude, Spanish is quite possibly the best language to start your learning journey. It was the start of mine, so I highly recommend it personally! It’s a widely spoken, versatile and eminently useful language, the key that unlocks a new world of culture, history and art, and a gateway to other languages. Learning Spanish can enrich your life in many ways and open many doors for you. Since I picked up that Spanish book all those years ago, I’ve never looked back. So, what are you waiting for? Start learning Spanish today, and enjoy the many benefits and rewards of this beautiful language.
Albaro Languages 