Like it or not, it is a natural process, it had been going on since the beginning of time in every language. For instance, our Spanish language comes from the vernacular form of Latin that was spoken in the Peninsula and slowly mutated into what we speak now. So it happened with all Romance languages. It all begun for the Spanish language with Nebrija and his first scientific Grammar of the Spanish-Castillian language.
Before that we must not forget eight centuries of Arabic influence in the peninsula, which left quite a good number of expressions and uses of the language. But let us see some other influences too.
ARAB WORDS
Beside some name of towns a places Arab has lent us a good range of words. Regarding buildings: atalayas (watchtower), alcázar (Royal fortress-residence), almenas (battlements), alquerías (farmhouse), zaguanes (hallway), azoteas (roof top), alcantarillas (sewers)… that tells us a but about a civilization that built cities and towns all over the peninsula. Regarding commerce: alhóndigas (grain exchange), almonedas (auction house), quilates (carats), adarmes (a small quantity of something), arrobas (old Spanish measurement unit), quintales (old Spanish measurement unit), fanegas (old Spanish measurement unit)… Regarding professions: alabardero (halberd), alfarero (potter), albéitar (veterinarian), albañiles (construction worker), alarifes (master builder). Regarding politics and laws: alcalde (mayor), alguacil (bailiff), albacea (trustee)… Regarding agriculture: algodón (cotton), albaricoque (apricot), albérchigo (peach), acelga (chard), algarroba (carob tree), altramuz (lupin bean)… and then we cook albóndigas (meatballs) an when the time of the almadraba (an ancient tuna fishing technique) arrives we prepare and eat mojama (tuna jerky) from our precious red tuna. Also some words related to water and water use: noria (water wheel), acequia (irrigation canal), aljibe (cistern or well), alberca (water tank or pool), albufera (coastal lagoon), azuda (diversion dam)… all in all a great deal of useful words.
THE AMERICAS
Soon after the end of the Reconquista came the discovery of the fourth continent: America. Right from the begging words came pouring into Spanish with all the new objects, products and things in the New World.
From the Caribbean: huracán (hurricane), sabana (savannah), cacique (cacique), maíz (corn), ceiba (ceiba tree), colibrí (hummingbird), guacamayo (macaw), enagua (petticoat), caribe (Caribbean) o caníbal (cannibal). From Nahualt, the Mexica’s language: hule (oilcloth), tomate (tomato), chocolate (chocolate), cacahuete (peanut), cacao (cacao), jícara (small cup), petaca (flask), petate (kitbag) o aguacate (avocado) which by the way in Nahualt original means testicle, perhaps due to its shape and the way in which this fruit grows from the tree: in pairs. There are also words from Quechua cóndor (condor), alpaca (alpaca), vicuña (vicuna), pampa (pampas), chácra (farm), cancha (field), o papa (potato).
EUROPE
Then came the Empire and with it the new lands in Europe. Our kin admired the luxury from France and words like jardín (garden), cofre (treasure chest), trinchar (carve), bajel (type of vessel), petimetre (dandy), coqueta (vain), bufete (buffet), ficha (token), corsé (corst), tupé (toupee), hotel (hotel), silueta (silhouette), toilette (toilet), avalancha (avalanche), cuplet (copla or cuplé), or soirée that evolved into our “sarao flamenco”.
Italy gave us many words related to the fine arts and industry: fachada (facade), escorzo (perspective), parapeto (parapet), medalla (medal), soneto (sonet), piano (piano), bisoño (inexperienced), fragata (frigate), charlar (chat), espadachin (swashbuckler), gaceta (gazette)... Regarding music for example it is widely used the original term in Italian: allegro, andante, troppo, fuga, pizzicato, etc. And as of late we have adopted the names of our favourite Italian dishes espaguetis (spaghetti), lasaña (lasagna), canelones (cannelloni), pizza, mozarela (mozzarella), tiramisu….
AFRICA
There are fewer words of an African origin. We have, however, adopted several terms specially related to music: conga, marimba, milonga, quilombo, samba, bombo (drum), bachata, mucama, tango, vudú (voodoo), zombi (zombie)…
Languages are definitely alive! They change in the same way we change with time. There is no recollection of anyone or anything being able to stop languages from changing and adapting their users. Let us hope for the best.
Ciao! Bye! Adiós my friends!