Did the Muslim Rulers of Spain Speak Spanish?

There is a common misconception that the Muslim rulers of Spain exclusively spoke Arabic. However, the linguistic reality was more complex than that. This article aims to clarify the linguistic situation during the period of Al-Andalus and debunk some myths about the language spoken by the Muslim rulers of Spain.

Al-Andalus and the Linguistic Landscape

Al-Andalus refers to the region of the Iberian Peninsula that was under Muslim rule from 711 to 1492. During this period, the dominant language in terms of administration, culture, and scholarship was indeed Arabic. However, it is important to note that the moors (Muslim rulers) did not originate from Spain but rather were invaders from North Africa and the Middle East.

When the Muslims conquered the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century, the most common language around was Vulgar Latin. Over time, this evolved into the Mozarabic language, which was a blend of Vulgar Latin with influences from Arabic, Jewish, and Amazigh languages. Mozarabic was written in either Arabic or Hebrew characters.

The Complexity of Multilingualism

Although the rulers and scholars of Al-Andalus primarily used Arabic, the linguistic landscape was far from monolingual. The region was home to a diverse population speaking various Romance languages. As a result, there was a significant exchange between Arabic and the local Romance languages, leading to many Arabic words being incorporated into the Spanish language. These borrowings were particularly prevalent in fields such as science, agriculture, and architecture.

While it is true that the rulers of Al-Andalus primarily used Arabic, it is also possible that some of them learned to speak or understand Spanish (or its dialects) in certain regions where Arabic and local languages coexisted. This multilingual reality reflects the complex blend of cultures and languages that characterized Al-Andalus.

The Evolution of Castilian Spanish

It is crucial to understand that when the Muslim rulers first came to the Iberian Peninsula, Castilian Spanish did not exist in its current form. The first instances of Castilian Spanish are from the 12th century, some 500 years after the Muslim conquest.

During the period of Muslim rule, many rulers, and nobles in the region, including both Muslim and Christian rulers, were multilingual. For example, Muslim rulers in Al-Andalus were likely to know Mozarabic, as well as Aragonese, Castilian, and Galician. Similarly, early Christian kings, particularly those of the Hispanic March (the area immediately south of the Pyrenees), were able to speak Arabic and Mozarabic, as these were the dominant political languages of Hispania at that time.

Conclusion

In summary, the Muslim rulers of Spain during the period of Al-Andalus primarily used Arabic for administration, culture, and scholarship. However, the linguistic situation was complex, with significant exchanges between Arabic and local Romance languages. This led to the incorporation of Arabic words into the Spanish language and a multilingual landscape that included Mozarabic, Aragonese, Castilian, and Galician. The historical context of Al-Andalus highlights the rich and diverse linguistic heritage of the region.