Castilian

Castilian, also called Castilian Spanish or Castellano, is a Romance language of the Ibero-Romance group. It originated from Vulgar Latin in the kingdom of Castile in northern Spain and became the dominant language of the Crown of Castile, spreading with Spanish exploration and colonization.

The name Castilian derives from Castilla (Castile). In English, Castilian can refer to the language or the people of Castile; in Spanish, castellano is the usual term for the language, with español used in many contexts.

In modern practice, Castilian is the official or de facto national language of Spain and is the predominant language in most Latin American countries. It is standardized by the Real Academia Española (RAE) and the Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española (ASALE).

Phonology and varieties: Peninsular Castilian typically distinguishes s and θ (distinción). In some southern dialects, notably parts of Andalusia, ceceo merges them; many Latin American varieties employ seseo, merging s and θ as a single sound. Across regions, intonation and pronunciation can vary, while the core grammar and vocabulary remain recognizably Castilian.

Orthography and standardization: The language is written with the Latin alphabet and governed by norms published by the RAE and ASALE. Spelling largely follows international norms for Spanish, with regional variations in pronunciation and usage.

See also: Castilian people, Castile, Spanish language, Real Academia Española.