The Spanish Language Today describes the varied and changing Spanish language at the end of the twentieth century. Suitable for introductory level upward, this book examines: * where Spanish is spoken on a global scale * the status of Spanish within the realms of politics, education and media * the standardisation of Spanish * specific areas of linguistic variation and change * how other languages and dialects spoken in the same areas affect the Spanish language * whether new technologies are an opportunity or a threat to the Spanish language. The Spanish Language Today contains numerous extracts from contemporary press and literary sources, a glossary of technical terms and selected translations.

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An American Language is a tour de force that revolutionizes our understanding of U.S. history. It reveals the origins of Spanish as a language binding residents of the Southwest to the politics and culture of an expanding nation in the 1840s. As the West increasingly integrated into the United States over the following century, struggles over power, identity, and citizenship transformed the place of the Spanish language in the nation. An American Language is a history that reimagines what it means to be an American—with profound implications for our own time.

This updated edition of the combination textbook and workbook is designed as an introduction to Spanish for classroom use. The emphasis is on oral proficiency--conversational speaking and listening comprehension--but the authors also present detailed instruction in the fundamentals of Spanish grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing in Spanish. The book is filled with exercises and answers, true-to-life dialogues, illustrations of Hispanic art, and photos that capture the flavor of Spanish culture in Spain and Latin America. In this new edition, the vocabulary sections and readings have been updated to include the latest technology, while the cultural sections now include information about the Hispanic individuals currently making a splash on the world scene.

Exploring the Spanish Language is a practical introduction to the structures and varieties of Spanish. This new edition provides updated samples that introduce the varieties of modern Spanish, its main registers and styles, including a greater percentage from Latin America. Written specifically with English-speaking learners of Spanish in mind, readers will find a good deal of practical help in developing skills such as pronunciation and the appropriate use of register. No previous knowledge of linguistics is assumed and a glossary of technical terms, in conjunction with exercises and activities, helps to reinforce key points. Exploring the Spanish Language is ideal for students taking courses on Spanish language and linguistics and provides an ideal foundation for research of the Spanish speaking world.

“As in the first edition, Pharies debunks—in an engaging manner—a number of ‘linguistic myths’ about Spanish orthography, pronunciation, and grammar.” —Choice Since its publication in 2007, A Brief History of the Spanish Language has become the leading introduction to the history of one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. Moving from the language’s Latin roots to its present-day forms, this concise book offers readers insights into the origin and evolution of Spanish, the historical and cultural changes that shaped it, and its spread around the world. A Brief History of the Spanish Language focuses on the most important aspects of the development of the Spanish language, eschewing technical jargon in favor of straightforward explanations. Along the way, it answers many of the common questions that puzzle native speakers and non-native speakers alike, such as: Why do some regions use tú while others use vos? How did the th sound develop in Castilian? And why is it la mesa but el agua? David A. Pharies, a world-renowned expert on the history and development of Spanish, has updated this edition with new research on all aspects of the evolution of Spanish and current demographic information. This book is perfect for anyone with a basic understanding of Spanish and a desire to further explore its roots. It also provides an ideal foundation for further study in any area of historical Spanish linguistics and early Spanish literature. A Brief History of the Spanish Language is a grand journey of discovery, revealing in a beautifully compact format the fascinating story of the language in both Spain and Spanish America.