Castilian —which in current usage has become a synonym for “Spanish”— is a language with more than 500 million speakers distributed around the world,
being the second native language and the third in the sum of native speakers. Throughout its history it has developed a rich variety of dialects and accents, reflecting the different historical, geographical and cultural contexts in which it is used.
This article aims to briefly address both the history and the evolution of the various dialects of Castilian, from its roots to its current situation. It also seeks to highlight its importance in the cultural identity of Spanish-speaking communities and the evident growth of its influence in other parts of the world, where artists have turned it into an almost media phenomenon.
