The First Country to Speak Spanish: A Historical Journey

Every time you mention Spanish, castellano (which means Castilian in English) comes to mind. But when did this Spanish language officially become the first among nations to speak it? The answer to this intriguing question lies in the history of the Spanish Empire and the independence movment of Mexico.

Birth of Castellano as a Language

The kingdom of Castilla, one of the most powerful kingdoms in Europe before the Spanish Empire, funded many of the European explorations that led to the discovery of the Americas. Castellano, the language of this influential kingdom, spread during the Age of Exploration and Colonial Era. It became the official language of the Spanish Empire, which at its peak, spanned the entire hemisphere, greatly influencing the linguistic landscape.

Mexico: The First Independent Spanish-Speaking Country

While Castellano traveled across the world, Mexico was the first country to proclaim its independence from Spain in 1810. This historical event marked the beginning of a new era for the Spanish language. However, it's important to note that the first colony to use Spanish was not Mexico but the Canary Islands of North West Africa, followed by other Andalusian and Castilian territories in the New World.

The Spread and Evolution of Spanish

Following the Spanish imperial expansion, Castellano became the language of trade, culture, and governance in the Spanish territories. The subsequent waves of colonization had a profound impact on the development and dissemination of Spanish. As the language spread, it absorbed influences from other languages, particularly native American languages in the Americas. This broader linguistic exchange further enriched the Spanish language and its cultural significance.

The United States and Its Unique Standards

While Spanish has a clear historical first country, the United States has a unique set of societal standards. It follows a system of ranking temperatures in Fahrenheit, with 0 as freezing and 100 as boiling, which is different from the Celsius scale used in other parts of the world. The U.S. also measures everything in a metric system of tens, known as the decimal system, although it officially adopted the International System of Units (SI) in the 20th century.

Conclusion

The story of how Spanish became the first language of a country is a tale of history, exploration, and independence. While Mexico stands out as the first independent Spanish-speaking country, the journey of the Spanish language is a testament to its enduring influence and adaptability.