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

Learn how Spanish became one of the world's most important languages. The authors of "The Bonjour Effect" set their sights on the Castilian dialect, and how it was destined to become the dominant tongue that we call "Spanish" today.

Plus, get tips for enjoying your first trip to Spain, and for tackling the massive art collection at the Prado in Madrid.

Comprende mucho, with an all-Spain hour, on the next Travel with Rick Steves.

• 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."

• Angel and Celedonio Romero, "Jota (Rondalla Aragonesa) (Granados)," Bella España (collection) / Telarc
• Willie & Lobo, "Pipe Song," Gypsy Boogaloo / Mesa-Blue Moon Records
• Trio Mexico, "Tehuantepec," La Canción Oaxaqueña: Dulce, Amante, Romántica / Producciones Mexicanas Discográficas
• Milton Brown and his Brownies, "In El Rancho Grande," The Legacy, The True, and the Untamed (collection) / MCA Nashville
• Hesperion XXI, "Batalla Imperial (Cabanilles-Kerll)," Metamorphoses Fidei / Alia Vox
• Chanticleer, Chanticleer Sinfonia, Joseph Jennings, conductor, "Responsorio Segundo de S. S. Jose," (attributed to composer Ignacio de Jerúsalem, in 18th century Mexico City)," Mexican Baroque / Teldec
• * Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Jesús López-Cobos, cond., "'Málaga' from 'Iberia: Book 14' (Albéniz)," Bella España (collection) / Telarc
• Tierra Caliente, "Caramba," Globe Trot: Music of Earth Sampler (collection) / Music of Earth
• Ketama-Diabaté-Soto, "Suite Monebo," Songhai 2 / Hannibal Records
• Eduardo Paniagua, Musica Antigua, "Ai, Lemosins, francha terra cortesa (Bertran de Born, 12th century)," Trovadores en Castilla / Pneuma
• Manny Oquendo y Libre, "Cuando se Acabará," Latin Jazz (collection) / Putumayo
• Jorge Cordoba, "Frijole Boogie," Pachuco Boogie featuring Don Tosto: The Original Historic Recordings / Arhoolie
• Modern Mandolin Quartet, "Redonda," Sampler '94 (collection) / Windham Hill
• * Paco de Lucia, "Entre Dos Aguas," Entre Dos Aguas / Musicrama-Koch
• John Williams, "Piezas Características, op 92, no. 7, 'Zambra Granadina,' (guitar arr. by John Williams)," No Me Gusta la Guitarra Clásica, Pero Lo Que Escucho Aqui Sí, disc 2 (collection) / Sony Classical
• Christopher Parkening, "La maja de Goya (Granados)," The Great Recordings / EMI Classics
• Tommy Emmanuel, "En Aranjuez con tu Amor," KKSF Sampler for AIDS Relief, vol. 5 (collection) / (custom)
• Los Malaguita, "Aire," Fragua Futura (collection) / NM (Spain)
• Jaleo, "Jaleo Pa Las Flamencas," Duende vol. 3 - The Passion and Dazzling Virtuosity (collection) / Ellipses Arts
• La Niña de los Peines (aka Pastora Pavón Cruz), "Hasta la Fe de Bautismo," Duende, vol. 1 (collection) / Ellipsis Arts
• Orquesta Ibérica de Conciertos y Coros Cantores de Madrid, "La Verbena de la Paloma (Mazurka)," Preludios e Intermedios de Zarzuelas 2 / NS (Spain)
• SON_SCDC_3610_01101_Cuadero_lv-arabesca_largo_A_Piacere_APM
• Chano Dominquez, "Choricli jul," Duende vol. 3 (collection) / Ellipsis Arts

• Rick opens the segment A interview, referring to "political wrangling" in the US over immigration from Latin America. Rick mentions that the US "is already one of the largest Spanish speaking countries in the world." Jean-Benoit adds that the countries where Spanish is taught as a second language the most are the US, Brazil and France, and that the number of native Spanish speakers in the US is comparable to the population of Spain.
• There is talk about dealing with the heat of summer in Spain in the segment C interview, starting at 42:35. At 45:44, James notes that peak tourist season in Spain for tourism is from May to September, and peaks in September.
• At 47:15, James says that bullfighting is not looked on favorably in Catalunya and the Basque Country. but remains part of the culture in Madrid, Ronda and the south of Spain. Francisco adds that bullfighting is a major part of the culture in Pamplona, with an annual week of bullfights.