Ibicenco & Spanish langauge

The indigenous language in Ibiza is Ibicenco.  The first record of habitation was that of the Phoenicians in around 1650.  Ibicenco is a variation of very old Spanish with its Roman, Moorish and Arabic influences, which hints at the history of the Island's invaders over the centuries. See more on Ibiza History 

Few people now speak Ibicenco, most speak Castilian Spanish, with a few Ibicenco words thrown in to add flavour (not to say confusion). For those with a keen ear for language, will notice that those that DO speak Ibicenco vary even on the Island!  Portinax dialect and Ibiza dialect have differences. 
During the years of Franco dictatorship rule, there was a decree to impose a single Spanish language - Castilian.  This cast aside the Catalan dialect originating in Catalonia region in South East Spain.  Following Franco's death in 1975, King Juan Carlos opened up the democratic process.  This allowed the Regional Spanish Government of Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearics in its infinite wisdom to decree that all schools should now speak the Catalan dialect, and that progressively Catalan would become the standard language in those regions.  Hence, adults speak Castilian as do their children... who learn Catalan in school!  Progressively road and other signs are being changed to Catalan.. Except where the local rebels spray over the Catalan with Castilian!  Catalan is also the national language of Andorra.  The most obvious example of the two dialects is 'Ibiza' which is Castilian and 'Evissa' which is Catalan.  George Bernard Shaw once said that "England and America are two countries separated by the same language."  Hmmm..

Spanish is easier to pick up than, say French, because there are many words in Spanish which are very very similar to their English equivalent.  The subtle difference is in the pronunciation.  For example where words end in .ble, such as terrible, incredible, horrible etc, and are pronunced  "terri-bull", the Spanish word is the same, but the pronunciation changes from 'terribull' to "terr-ee-blay";  possible to "poss-ee-blay";  horrible to "horr-ee-blay".  If the English word ends in .able such as comfortable, acceptable, formidable etc. are pronounced "com-fort-a-bel". The Spanish word is the same but the pronunciation changes from comfortable to "com-fort-ah-blay"; acceptable to "accept-ah-blay"; formidable to "formid-ah-blay"

In Spain as in France all things are attributed gender - male/female.  In France there are no rules as to which gender a noun actually is, so guess 'le' or 'la'!

In Spanish things are a little easier. Generally if the word (noun)  ends in an a  or u it will be feminine, and prefixed with 'la'  as in la mesa, la silla, la finca etc.  Generally if the word (noun) ends in e or o it will be masculine and prefixed by 'el' as in El coche, el vino, el carne etc.  Oh and by the way 'j' is pronounced as 'h' - so the town of Jesus is "Hey-zoose"

Remember also that like England there are regional variations..  Just think of explaining to a Spaniard that:   'That's jolly good' can also be expressed 'Thas reet graaade-ly!  or even:   'Ansum boy, ansum!

Check out following page it may help, but is not a substitute for lessons or a phrase book.
Good luck, or maybe I should say "Buenaventura"

Some words and phrases in Spanish

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