The Year of the Spanish Language
Marca España has stated that the Spanish language is “a global agent that produces wealth, identity, culture, and brand which still has great opportunities for expansion and development in the digital era. It is expected that in 30 years there will be over 700 million Spanish speakers.”
The Year of the Spanish Language
Earlier this year, Spain’s Minister of Culture, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, declared "The year 2019 will be declared the Year of the Spanish Language” as part of the Marca España initiative.
Marca España has stated that the Spanish language is “a global agent that produces wealth, identity, culture, and brand which still has great opportunities for expansion and development in the digital era. It is expected that in 30 years there will be over 700 million Spanish speakers.”
There will even be tax incentives (up to 90%) for activities which promote the initiative to help try to drive participation among the private sector. Among these initiatives will be a study grant to generate more university student exchanges, appointing celebrities as “Spanish language ambassadors,” and the designing of a digital platform in Spanish & Portuguese to offer free content in the fields of literature, film, music, art, and science.
This plan has not been accepted across the country, however, as Spain’s all-encompassing attitude with the proposal has caused some hesitation in Latin American countries. De Vigo was specifically warned that the plan would not be welcomed outside Spain by the director of the Real Academia Española, Darío Villanueva, and of the Cervantes Institute, Juan Manuel Bonet, but has decided to go ahead with it anyway.
Even in Spain, political groups, apart from the governing Popular Party, have also criticized the plan specifically Basque and Catalan citizens as they see it as an attack on their own languages. Francisco Javier Pérez, the Venezuelan secretary general of ASALE stated that the desire by Spain to reign control over the common language was “at the very least worrisome.”
Carmen Millán, director of the Caro y Cuervo Institute in Colombia has a bit of a more optimistic look by stating that “...this is not about rivalries, it is about a sense of belonging to a common language.”
While it remains to be seen whether the effort will succeed in a similar fashion as the cultural promotion efforts of the French, it is without a doubt starting a conversation within the Spanish-speaking community about the need to preserve and promote their beloved language.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about how Spain is working to make 2019 The Year of the Spanish Language! Do you think the Marca España initiative will be positive for the promotion of the Spanish language? Comment below!
5 Spanish Drinks You Must Try
Discover these popular drinks from Spain, the perfect recipes for hosting friends and family!
5 Spanish Drinks You Must Try
The Spaniards are to thank for their delicious Sangria which people across the world can appreciate on a hot day, but did you know that they also have a large repertoire of great receipes for other cocktails? In the land of the "siesta", there is nothing better than a comfy hammock, a fresh (Spanish) drink, and a room full of friends and family. Glasses up amigos. Let's dive into a world of wonderful thirst quenching drinks. Salud!
1. Clara De Limón
Spaniards will associate this drink with girls. Whether you care about these stereotypes or not, Clara de Limón is the most refreshing alternative to a simple pint of beer. And, lets face it, if it tastes good who cares! Super easy to make at home:
Mix: Beer and Lemon Soda (to taste)
2. Kalimotxo
Very unique to Spain, look no further than Kalimotxo. Originally made popular in the Basque country, It is a mix of red wine and Coca-Cola. The drink is common among young Spaniards for its sweet but tart flavors. It is also extremely easy to make at home, and very budget friendly,
Mix: (cheap) Wine and Coke
3. Cava
Cava is a refreshing, bubbly beverage that can be served in white or rosé. The drink is served cold and is commonly mixed with a variety of fruits. It is pretty much like a Sangria Royale...
Mix: Champagne, white or rosé wine, fruits
4. Rebujito
In Andalucía during the festival season you should drink Rebujito. Rebujito is a mixed drink made of white sherry and lemon soda or Sprite. It is a perfect drink to resist the heat and sun of the Andalusian life...
Mix: White sherry & Lemon Soda / Sprite
5. Agua de Valencia
This is not your traditional mimosa. You will need cava or champagne, orange juice, vodka and gin. Perfect for your next brunch or midday party; mix together all the ingredients in a large jug or pitcher and share with all your friends!
Mix: Add 250ml cup orange juice, 2 shots of gin, 2 shots of vodka, and one 700ml bottle of cava into a large pitcher. Add in sugar and lemon slices until you reach your desired sweetness!
We hope you enjoyed these 5 Spanish Drinks You Must Try! While these cocktails are easy to make at home, we must admit that they are best accompanied by the gorgeous landscape of the streets in Spain, Mexico or South America. We'd love to hear about your travels and good times while drinking these tasty cocktails, so please leave a comment below. Looking to learn how to speak Spanish? Don't forget to check out our Spanish Group Classes & Private Lessons at JP Linguistics. Gracias!