Program 595a: The Story of Spanish; First Timer's Spain

Hear the unlikely story of how Spanish grew from a Latin dialect in northern Iberia to become one of the world's most important and widely spoken languages. Then get tips for enjoying your first trip to Spain, and for getting the most out of a visit to the Prado's massive art collection in Madrid.

• Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow, authors of "The Story of Spanish" (St. Martin's Griffin)
• Francisco Glaria, tour guide from Pamplona, Spain
• James Scanlon, tour guide from San Sebastian, Spain
• Gene Openshaw, co-author of "Europe's Top 100 Masterpieces: Art for the Traveler" (Avalon Travel)

• Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow examine the people and historical forces that have shaped the destiny of the Spanish language in their book "The Story of Spanish."
• There is a North American Academy of the Spanish Language, based in New York City.
• Julie and Jean-Benoit describe the origins of the French Language on Travel with Rick Steves program #570 from July 2019, and the etiquette of "The Bonjour Effect" on program #466 from December 2016.
• Francisco Glaria is a Spanish tour guide based in Pamplona.
• James Scanlon talks with the Rick Steves Europe tour department.
• Velazquez's masterpiece "Las Meninas" is part of the collection at El Prado in Madrid.
• Gene Openshaw is Rick's co-author on "Europe's Top 100 Masterpieces: Art for the Traveler."