Have you noticed how different Spanish sounds depending on the region? If you’d like to explore the richness of Spanish variations and learn the language in an immersive environment, Spanish courses in Lima at Peruwayna are an excellent choice.
There are various types of Spanish, from Spain to Latin America, and each variant has unique characteristics that make it even more fascinating. Read on to learn about these differences and discover more about the linguistic diversity of this language.
Why are there so many variations and dialects of Spanish?
Do you know how many people speak Spanish worldwide? More than 500 million use it in their daily lives, and it is an official language in 20 countries. Its global expansion is largely due to the processes of colonization, although this diffusion was neither rapid, nor uniform, nor simple.
As the Spanish expanded, it began to adapt to the particularities of each region. Differences in landscapes, customs, and traditions influenced the way people spoke, while the influence of indigenous cultures in many Spanish-speaking countries enriched and diversified the language. Thus, a wide variety of dialects emerged, continuing to evolve to this day.
What are the dialects of Spanish?
Latin American Spanish dialects
Most of Latin America was colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century. Although these nations gained independence from Spain about three centuries later, they developed their own culture and dialect, with features distinguishing them from Peninsular Spanish.
Generally, Latin America can be divided into two large regions: Central America and South America. The Spanish-speaking countries in Central America are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama (while Mexico is typically considered part of North America).
South America, on the other hand, is home to nine Spanish-speaking countries, each with its variant of Spanish, although they all share a common base. Let’s explore some of these differences:
Mexican Spanish
Mexican Spanish, although not homogeneous, has distinctive characteristics that allow it to be compared to Spanish in Spain. This dialect is considered the standard Spanish taught in the United States and is recognized as an unofficial second language due to the large number of Spanish speakers in the country.
Despite the diversity of dialects spoken throughout Mexico, some common characteristics include:
The use of “tú” for the second-person singular: “Tú eres mi mejor amiga” instead of “Eres mi mejor amiga.”
The use of “ustedes” for the second-person plural instead of “vosotros”: ¡Ustedes comieron todo el pastel! instead of ¡Te comiste todo el pastel!
The inclusion of numerous words of Nahuatl origin, like aguacate, which comes from the Nahuatl ahuacatl.
Caribbean Spanish
Caribbean Spanish is not only spoken on the islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic but also extends to coastal areas of Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela.
The Caribbean dialect was influenced by African languages and the native languages of the region, due to the frequent arrival of slave traders in the Caribbean. However, most of this dialect is influenced by Andalusian Spanish, since many of the settlers came from that region. The main characteristics include:
Seseo in pronunciation, means that the sounds “s” and “z” are pronounced the same way.
Yeísmo, where the sounds “ll” and “y” are pronounced equally.
Similar pronunciation of “l” and “r” in some cases.
The softening or even dropping of the “s” sound, especially at the beginning, end, or middle of a word.
Unique regional vocabulary, such as guagua, which means bus.
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Central American Spanish
While Spanish speakers in Central America can understand each other, their vocabulary may vary from one country to another and even from one region to another. In general terms, distinctive features include:
The use of “vos” instead of “tú” for the second-person singular, while “ustedes” remains for the third-person plural.
A tendency to soften the pronunciation of certain consonants, giving the region a distinctive accent.
South American Spanish
The vast continent of South America is home to numerous Spanish-speaking countries, resulting in variations of Spanish from region to region. However, there are some common characteristics of this dialect that are worth noting.
As already mentioned, the areas near the Caribbean Sea have their own linguistic particularities. Peruvian Spanish is more similar to Mexican Spanish, although it is influenced by Quechua.
Like Mexican Spanish, Peruvian Spanish tends to be spoken in a more leisurely manner compared to other dialects. Given the vastness of South America, it is often useful to divide the region by country or geographic area when discussing its linguistic variations.
Colombian Spanish
Colombian Spanish, known for its beauty and clarity, varies by region. As we’ve seen, the Spanish spoken in the Caribbean coastal area has its unique features, but highland Spanish can differ. Generally, Colombian Spanish is characterized by:
Seseo (the “s” and “z” sound the same) and yeísmo (the “ll” and “y” sound the same).
Softer pronunciation of the “g,” “d,” and “b” consonants.
The use of “usted” even when addressing friends and family and “ustedes” for the third-person plural, reflecting a formal and respectful use of the language.
Rioplatense Spanish
Rioplatense Spanish is the dialect spoken in the Río de la Plata region, encompassing Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Bolivia and Paraguay. Some of its most interesting features include:
The use of žeísmo: This phenomenon involves pronouncing words with “ll” with a sound similar to “j.” Recently, this sound has evolved to have a slight “sh” tone, known as sheísmo.
Voseo: In which “vos” is used instead of “tú” for the second-person singular, and this influences the verb conjugation.
The use of the past tense to express the present perfect: For instance, “Abel no comió” can mean “Abel no ha comido” (Abel hasn’t eaten).
Andean Spanish
Andean Spanish is spoken not only in Peru but also in regions of Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador. It’s influenced by indigenous languages like Quechua and Aymara. Some notable characteristics include:
Seseo: The “s” and “z” are pronounced similarly, without distinction.
The pronunciation of vowels: In Andean Spanish, vowels tend to be pronounced softer or weaker. Sometimes, they even merge when speaking, which gives a particular rhythm to this dialect.
Spanish dialects of Spain
Several dialects of Spanish are spoken in Spain, quite apart from other official languages such as Catalan, Valencian, and Galician. The Spanish dialects are mainly divided into northern (Castilian), southern (Andalusian), eastern (Murcian), and western (Extremaduran).
Castilian Spanish
Key features of Castilian Spanish include:
Leísmo: Using the pronoun “le” as a direct object, while in other regions, this pronoun is used as an indirect object. Example: Le vi en la mañana = Lo vi en la mañana.
Laísmo: The use of “la” and “las” as direct object pronouns instead of indirect object pronouns. Example: La voy a dar el dinero = Le voy a dar el dinero.
The use of “vosotros”: Common in Castilian Spanish for the second-person plural, unlike other dialects that use “ustedes.”
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Andalusian Spanish
Andalusian Spanish is fascinating because it influenced the development of Latin American Spanish. Some of its most distinctive characteristics include:
Seseo: In Andalusian pronunciation, the “s” and “z” are pronounced the same.
Ceceo: In southern Andalusia, ceceo is observed, where the “s” and “z” are pronounced differently.
Use of “ustedes”: In Andalusia, “ustedes” is used for the second-person plural instead of “vosotros.”
Extremaduran Spanish
Extremaduran Spanish, spoken in Extremadura, is located in the extreme west of Spain and, although it shares certain ties with the Leonese dialect, it should not be confused with the Extremaduran language, which is a distinct language. Some of the most salient characteristics are as follows:
Vocabulary with Portuguese origins: Due to the proximity to Portugal, Extremaduran Spanish has various Portuguese-origin words.
Gender variation in some words: Some words, like aceite, can be either masculine or feminine depending on the context.
Murcian Spanish
Murcian Spanish, spoken in southeastern Spain, has influences from Arabic and other languages like Aragonese. It’s characterized by frequent use of Arabic-origin words and distinct features such as:
Loss of the sounds “b” and “d”: In Murcian Spanish, when these letters are between two vowels, they are lost or softened. Example: caeza instead of cabeza.
Arabic influence: The presence of words of Arabic origin is notable, as in the case of “alhábega” (from Arabic al-hábëqa), which is equivalent to “albahaca”.
Master Spanish with Peruwayna
Now that you know more about the different dialects of Spanish, why not take the opportunity to learn one of them? And what better place to do it than in Peru?
At Peruwayna, we offer a wide range of Spanish courses, from small group classes to private sessions, ensuring a more personalized experience. We also offer intensive Spanish classes, perfect if you want to immerse yourself fully in the language and progress quickly.
We also have online Spanish classes, allowing you to learn from anywhere, adapting to your schedule and pace. Our virtual classes are interactive and effective, ensuring you progress in the language comfortably and flexibly.
Ready to embark on your Spanish learning journey in Lima? Discover the perfect course for you at Peruwayna! Visit our website to explore our diverse options and start your adventure today. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us—we're here to help!
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