Different types of Spanish: How to choose the right one for translation

Spanish is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages, with over 500 million first-language speakers across dozens of countries. However, not all Spanish is the same. 

Just as U.S. English is distinct from English in the U.K., Australia, or Jamaica, Spanish looks and sounds different around the world.

That means that when companies translate content for new Spanish-speaking markets, they must choose the proper Spanish locale to connect effectively with audiences. This guide will help your global business navigate the various types of Spanish, ensuring your message feels natural and engaging in any country.

Understanding locales: Are there different types of Spanish?

Although you might think of Spanish as one language, it comprises a collection of locales—pairings of a language to a specific region. 

In translation, specifying the locale of your target audience helps ensure that content is translated accurately and resonates culturally. Languages evolve over time, and differences arise when speakers are geographically isolated or experience prolonged interaction with other languages.

The different dialects of Spanish vary across locales in the following ways:

• Pronunciation: Some consonants, such as S, Z, and C, have different pronunciations across Spanish locales.
• Vocabulary: Different words for the same concept across locales. For example, the Spanish word for “computer” is typically “ordenador” in Spain (Locale Code: es-ES) but “computadora” in Mexico (locale code es-MX).
• Grammar: Variations in pronouns, verb conjugations, and past tense modifiers exist across Spanish-speaking regions.
• Formal vs. informal speech: The use of “vosotros” (informal plural “you”) is common in Spain (es-ES), but it’s typically replaced by “ustedes” in Latin American locales.

8 variations of Spanish: Understanding regional differences

Spanish dialects are (for the most part) mutually intelligible from one locale to another, which is what makes them dialects rather than entirely separate languages. Still, they exhibit notable differences.

It’s hard to pinpoint how many Spanish dialects there are, as distinctions are fuzzy and constantly changing. Here are some of the most widely spoken varieties.

Castilian Spanish

Castilian is the dominant Spanish dialect in northern and central Spain. Its history traces back to the 13th century, when King Alfonso X of Spain led a widespread push to translate historical documents into the dialect spoken in the Kingdom of Castille.

Many Spaniards consider Castilian Spanish the “standard” form of their language and more prestigious than other regional dialects within Spain. In contrast to dialects of Latin America, Castilian Spanish is notable for differences in second-person pronouns and grammatical constructions that can change the word order.

Andalusian Spanish

Alongside Castilian Spanish, Andalusian Spanish is also widely spoken in Europe. There are about 8.5 million speakers living predominantly in the southern regions of Spain and in Gibraltar. Andalusian Spanish is notable for dropping S and D sounds in certain contexts and merging some other sounds that Castilian Spanish treats as distinct.

Within Spain, Andalusian Spanish may be considered more informal than Castilian Spanish, which is associated with education and media. Many Spaniards who settled in the New World were Andalusian, and the Andalusian dialect influenced the Latin American Spanish dialects that followed.

Murcian Spanish

Murcian Spanish is widely spoken among the approximately 1.5 million people in the autonomous Region of Murcia in southeastern Spain.

Spain’s southern coast is very close to northern Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula has had a significant Arabic presence for centuries. As a result, all Spanish dialects have been influenced by Arabic, but the Murcian Spanish dialect has a particularly extensive vocabulary of Arabic loanwords.

Canarian Spanish

Located just off the coast of Morocco, the Canary Islands were conquered by the Crown of Castille in the 15th century. The Spanish spoken there today still shows heavy Arabic influences.

The Canary Islands were a common stopping point on journeys between Spain and the Americas. Not only did Canarian Spanish influence the dialects spoken in Latin America, but Spanish that developed in the Caribbean and Central America influenced Canarian Spanish in return.

Caribbean Spanish

The Caribbean was primarily settled by Spanish colonists from Andalusia and the Canary Islands. Even today, the language used there has much in common with Andalusian Spanish. Around 28 million people speak this dialect across hundreds of Caribbean isles and coastal areas in Central America.

Caribbean Spanish is notable for merging some sounds that would be distinct in other dialects and dropping certain consonants at the end of a syllable or word. There are also differences in syntax and morphology, including the word order used when asking questions.

Mexican Spanish

Although Mexican Spanish isn’t a uniform dialect, the country’s linguistic varieties have many common features. Mexico was a Spanish colony for about 300 years, during which time the language was influenced by Indigenous languages—including Nahuatl, one of the languages spoken by the Aztecs.

Over 120 million people in Mexico speak Mexican Spanish as a first language. It’s also the standard Spanish dialect taught in schools in the U.S., where it’s widespread. In fact, there are more Spanish speakers in the U.S. than in Spain.

Rioplatense Spanish

Named for the River Plate (an estuary at the border of Argentina and Uruguay), this dialect is spoken by around 70% of the Argentinian population, nearly all Spanish speakers in Uruguay, and emigrant communities worldwide.

Rioplatense Spanish’s distinctive features include strong Italian influences in pronunciation, different second-person pronouns than most other Spanish dialects, and many loanwords from Portuguese and other European languages due to historical immigration patterns in Argentina.

Equatoguinean Spanish

Equatoguinean Spanish is used primarily in Equatorial Guinea and is the only Spanish dialect with national official status in Africa. Spanish is spoken by around 90% of the country’s 1.7 million residents, although it’s a second language for many.

As a result, Equatoguinean Spanish is influenced by the Bantu languages of the region. One of this dialect’s more notable linguistic features is that it doesn’t use definite articles like el, la, los, or las. 

Types of Spanish translation: Best practices for accuracy and relevance

Businesses can take one of two approaches to create accurate and relevant Spanish translations:

Adapt content to locale, not just language

Companies operating in multiple Spanish-speaking markets often create Spanish content for various locales. Some businesses apply one single version of Spanish-language content to a variety of Spanish-speaking locales to save money, but this method is not best practice. Spanish-speakers who use a different dialect than the one employed may feel less prioritized, hindering the development of your relationship with that audience. It’s best to consider localization an investment rather than an expense, as the ROI and establishment of strong ties with global audiences is well worth the effort.

Localizing content for your different Spanish-speaking locales improves customer engagement and drives higher conversion rates. And this effect extends beyond language: Marketing materials and advertising that align with local cultural expectations foster authentic customer connections.

Use “neutral Spanish” for general content

Also known as “standard” or “international” Spanish, this isn’t technically a locale. Instead, it refers to a codified variety that finds common ground between locales, ensuring it’s universally understood by Spanish speakers and suited to a multinational audience.

A neutral Spanish translation might exclude idioms and regionally specific terminology. For example, the term “computer” can be translated in several ways, including “computadora” in Latin American locales and “ordenador” in Spain. Neutral Spanish may use “PC” or “equipo,” which speakers in both regions can understand.

This approach can be cost-effective for companies that want to cast a wide net. However, since the language doesn’t reflect what Spanish speakers use in their daily lives, translated content may not resonate with customers as well as a locale-specific translation.

Regardless of your approach, Smartling’s diverse translation solutions make professional Spanish translation easy and cost-effective. From website localization and marketing to technical and legal content, Smartling streamlines translation workflows with automation and management tools to enhance your global reach.

Frequently asked questions

What type of Spanish should I choose for translation?

The Spanish locales you select for translation should correlate with your target audience’s location and cultural preferences. Speaking to customers in their locale encourages stronger connections and trust in your brand, and the ROI is worth the expenditure. Neutral Spanish is also a cost-saving option to reach broad audiences.

Which Spanish locale is the most popular?

The Spanish language in Mexico (es-MX) is the most widespread Spanish locale. It’s spoken by over 120 million people in Mexico, plus large communities in other countries, including the United States.

Peninsular Spanish encompasses dialects across Spain and has around 46 million speakers.

How many Spanish-speaking countries are there in the world?

Spanish is an official language—either de facto (in practice) or de jure (by law)—in 21 countries spanning Europe, Latin America, and Africa. It’s also widespread in the United States, where over 43 million people speak Spanish.

Customize your content for different Spanish locales with Smartling

All Spanish types share a common foundation, but variations in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar can impact comprehension. Choosing the correct Spanish locale will help your translated content resonate with your audience. A strong Spanish localization strategy helps readers build a lasting connection with your brand.

Smartling’s Translation Management System is designed to improve efficiency, drive consistency, and scale for growth. This centralized platform eliminates the need for manual translation tasks through automation, enabling businesses to seamlessly adapt to different Spanish language types.

To learn more about optimizing your translation strategy, grab your copy of our free eBook, “What to Look for in a Translation Solution: A Buyer’s Guide.” This guide contains essential insights to help you achieve high-performance translation outcomes.