Comparative Vocabulary: Shared Words in English and Spanish

The relationship between the English and Spanish languages is rich and deep, with thousands of common words shared between the two. This article explores how these shared words trace their origins to Latin, and showcases common endings and their corresponding Spanish equivalents, making it easier for learners and enthusiasts to bridge the language gap.

Etymology and Linguistic Origins

Almost ten thousand common words in English have direct or near-equivalent counterparts in Spanish, originating primarily from Latin. While the English language has taken many of these words directly, Spanish uses them with some distinctive endings, enriching both languages with shared linguistic roots.

Words Ending in 'tion'

Words ending in ‘tion’ in English often have corresponding words in Spanish that end in ‘ción’. There are approximately 3500 such words in English, and their Spanish equivalents make them easy to recognize and use. Here are a few examples:

Absolution Accommodation Acceptance Acceleration Abolition Abrasion Action Abstraction Acrimony Acquittal Accuracy

The list is extensive, making it noteworthy that these words are easily recognizable in both languages. When one knows English or Spanish, they can essentially know six thousand new words in the other language.

Words Ending in 'tor'

Another common ending is ‘tor’, which often corresponds to ‘dor’ in Spanish, and occasionally ends in ‘tor’. There are about 750 English words ending in ‘tor’, each having a matching Spanish form. Some examples include:

Actor Adjuster Advocator Administrator Ambulator Assistant Actor Actor

This showcases the similarity and consistency in word endings, simplifying the learning process for those familiar with one language.

Words Ending in 'ism'

Words ending in ‘ism’ often correspond to ‘ismo’ in Spanish. This group consists of around 850 words, such as:

Agnosticism Majorism Meliorism Minimalism Stagnatism Maneuverism M-background (-ism)

The shared endings make these words easily recognizable and interchangeable between the two languages, reinforcing the linguistic bond between English and Spanish.

Words Ending in 'ist'

Words ending in ‘ist’ match almost identically with ‘-ista’ endings in Spanish. There are about 840 English words that fit into this category, including:

Cinematographer photographer Entomologist Geologist Historian Horticulturalist Hygienist

This consistency further highlights the linguistic relationship between the two languages and simplifies learning and recognition.

Conclusion

The shared vocabulary in English and Spanish is a testament to their linguistic heritage and the unbroken connection through Latin. For learners, this shared vocabulary makes it easier to understand and communicate in both languages. Whether you are a language enthusiast, a learner, or simply someone interested in cultural and linguistic similarities, this shared heritage makes learning and using these languages an enriching experience.