In the numerous Spanish-speaking countries throughout the world, the language varies greatly from one country to another. Because the Spanish language reaches so many different peoples and cultures, it is not surprising that it takes on many different forms. So, which one is the best? Is the Spanish in one country really better than that in another? Well, yes and no. Perhaps it isn’t fair to generalize but that is what we do when we want to get a general idea of how things are.
So, apologies aside, it is often considered that Colombia has the “best” Spanish. It is said that the Spanish spoken in Colombia has a very “neutral” accent. However, that can be a matter of opinion. One might say that just as the Mexican accent is Mexican, the Colombian accent is Colombian. It may be a matter of opinion which accent is “neutral” or “better.” Although the Colombian accent, as well as the Colombian Spanish, is considered by many to be the “best” and “most pure,” it depends on who you ask.
One reason Colombian Spanish is considered to be the most pure, is because, compared to other Spanish-speaking countries, it has little influence from other countries or languages. In places like Puerto Rico and Belize, where both English and Spanish are spoken, there is often an overlapping of the languages and as such, the Spanish has been somewhat altered. Mexico’s proximity to the United States as well as the presence of American and Canadian tourists has allowed many English words to creep in. Take for example the verb “check,” meaning to verify. Not long ago, this would have translated to verificar but somehow the term has become widely known as checar. Argentina has a history of European immigration, which has influenced its Spanish. Because Italian and Spanish are quite similar, it is only natural that the Italian presence has influenced the Spanish of Argentina. Again, it is a question of who you ask because some may say that some of the best Spanish in the world is in Mexico or Argentina.
Spain has a very distinct Spanish. Some people like it and others do not. It is true the Spanish in Spain is quite different from that spoken in most of Latin America. Not only is the Spanish (from Spain) accent distinct from other Spanish, but they also make use of vosotros. Although Spain’s Spanish is different and may sound a bit strange to some Latin Americans, Spain is, after all, the birthplace of the language. So some may say that they should set the rules for what is correct.
Perhaps the most important points to consider are the particular individual who is speaking the language and the context in which he or she is speaking. If you go to a poor area of Colombia where many of the people do not have access to education, it is very unlikely that you will hear a high level of Spanish. However, if you attend a business meeting in Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, you most likely will hear Spanish correctly spoken.
Perhaps we should develop our own opinion on where the best Spanish is spoken and which “kind” of Spanish we prefer. To do so, it is important to have many experiences with Spanish speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds and nationalities. In the meantime, if you are trying to improve your Spanish, rather than worrying about where the best Spanish is, just start using it as much as you can.
Reason why Colombian spanish is the better spoken is because no matter from what back round you come poor or rich , every one Spanish and manners are learn in the house hold, you can’t see that in other Spanish spoken countries.
I completely disagree with your perception as to why Colombian spanish is in your opinion better than others.
Everyting indicates that the countries that had the more advanced pre hispanic civilizations are the ones that may have more of a mix of indigineous and spanish words thus making it a more distorted spanish.
In my experience, the worst Spanish I have heard spoken by native speakers is here in the U.S. It’s so mixed with different accents, Latin American dialects, slangs and influence from the English language. “Spanglish”. Everyone whose first language is Spanish is going to believe that their Spanish is the best. I’m from Ecuador and most people in my country speak excellent Spanish, like in Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, etc. Each country has areas where the language is going to be spoken in a rather unpolished way. Someone who speaks good Spanish would have no issues understanding another Spanish speaker. The emphasis may be on the actual listener, specially a non speaker, having difficulty understanding the country’s accent or speed coming from a particular Spanish speaker. Regardless, it is rather unproductive to debate what country has the better Spanish, English, Farsi or French. It would always be subjective to the listener’s experience and preference. In my opinion.
Ingrid, te felicito por tu interpretación de quien, o en que país se habla el mejor Español, Siempre lo he dicho, que si se escucha a alguien del país que sea, hablar correctamente Español, todos los latinoamericanos lo entenderíamos. Y de nuevo felicidades!!!
Víctor García de la Concha**, **who is the director of The Royal Spanish Academy (official institution to safeguard the correct use of the Spanish language) actually named Colombia as the country with the most correct use of the Spanish language. Since it’s the only Latin-american country which preserved the language since the time of independence, plus the little or almost no influence from other Spanish speaking countries.
LINK TO PROVE (interview from a news tv channel to the director of the RAL
En Colombia se habla un buen español, dice la Real Academia de la Lengua (https://caracol.com.co/radio/2007/01/18/entretenimiento/1169114280_380061.html)
Se referia a america latina como dijo en una entrevista posterior.. Decir que en colombia se habla mejor que en espana es un disparate.
What you mention about the accent is true that Colombian, Mexicans or Peruvians have each a particular accent, but according to the RAE director, Bogota (the capital of Colombia) has a neutral accent and use of language. Probably more people promoted the idea of going to Mexico to take Spanish classes since it’s cheaper (tuition in Bogota might be more expensive) but it doesn’t make Mexico the right one. Actually Mexico, like Puertorico or Dominican Republic have a terrible use of Spanish
Espita, I don’t know what nationality are you, but if you are not a latina/o person, and a profesor in linguistics, You are absolutely wrong about your statement that all those countries you mentioned have a terrible use of the Spanish language.
I do not know who have write this post in this web side but with out doubt is somebody who hate España.
The former colonies have been spinning around our language until forget the reality that it is was just a gift that we never should have give to them. But the missionaries did. Why not latin??
Isn’t Spanish from Spain actually considered a different language called Castellano?
Let me know if I’m wrong but that said Spain isn’t a Spanish speaker, am I right?
More people use “vos” in their Spanish than there are Spaniards in the entire world. By sheer use, that feature of Spanish is more official than anything Spain currently contributes to español.
😀 😀 😀 I loved your comment, Carlos 😀 😀 😀
And, don’t forget, Spanish is not the only “gift” Spain gave to the former colonies. Spain also gave them mass murder, enslavement, mutilation, rape, and pandemics in a larger number than any other colonizer. Wasn’t Spain so kind?
Thanks to Spain you are not the cannibal apes you were when we discovered your continent. Sorry, not sorry.
You are correct, Alex! And that makes me sad. I come from New York City and I wonder if they will ever rename Columbus Circle, a major uptown landmark. Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States.
I read, in what I believe to be a reliable source, that Columbus annihilated the people of Hispañola . They wrote that Cristóbal Colón and his pals pimped nine-year-old girls to visitors – and I guess, to themselves. The natives were treated so badly that newborns were killed by their mothers, rather than have them experience the hell that was thrust upon the original inhabitants.
If I am wrong, I welcome any correction.
In any event, I know that Columbus was evil and I am embarrassed because it seems that my country will not eliminate any tribute to him like many Americans are trying to eliminate tributes to Civil War Confederate soldiers.
Very few statues of Columbus were removed from their pedestals by good-hearted, angry mobs.
Todos somos hermanos y hermanas.
Peace.
I only know Spanish from three countries: Spain, the DR, and Mexico. And even then only. a a limited number of places (<10) of each
The best Spanish I have heard is the Spanish of Monterrey, Mexico. Beautiful. Clean. Precise.. I think it would be. a good place to learn Spanish. On the flip side, the Spanish I heard in Cancun was awful. I felt I was in Tijuana. It is a largely migrant workforce. Lots of profanity and disgusting phraseology. Thee local Mayans, however, are more gentle. They Spanish is nice.
Next would be Madrid.. The Spanish has a formal flavor and like that of Monterrey very clear. Different pronunciation than that of Northern Mexico, which is the most Spanish part of Mexico. However, As with most residents of capital cities, Madrileños are not very approachable. Would be a hard place to get good as there is no patience in the city.. Elsewhere, I am not sure.
Finally, there is the DR. A very localized Spanish. As in most of Caribbean, ends of words are chopped off. Very musical. Jammed packed with idioms. Hard on my. ear.. Would be fun to master Dominican Spanish, but not as your primary Spanish.
As for comments on Spanish in the US, it would make no sense whatsoever for someone to consider Studying Spanish in the US. You should expect broken, hybridized Spanish. How can it be any different?
I have never heard a Colombian speak Proper Spanish
I feel that aside from accents, most Mexicans speak a Spanish that is clear and understandabke, and they don’t drop the “s” ike so many South American and Caribbean countries that “eat” the S and other consonants.. Nobody outside of Spain lisps. but at least Mexicans use all the consonants!