In this blog you are to comment on one or more of the assigned articles in relation with any of the topics touched on in the lecture PDFs every week. Your posts should be brief (150 words or the equivalent to 1 paragraph) and, most importantly, a reflection of your preparation for class.
Sec 1F - Week 2
The Visigoths, the Muslim invasion, and the beginning of the Reconquest
For this week’s list of articles, I found them to be quite interesting to the topics covered in the lectures. While reading the article about the Altamira Cave, I remembered how Professor Torrecilla said that the Iberians had an obsession with bulls and horses so that could be shown within the paintings in the cave. He also said Spain is a historical creation and this cave has added to that. For the bullfighting article, I recognized that these animals were essential to Spain’s culture and that Iberian tribes used them as sacrifices in their rituals. While reading the article about Spanish foods, it could be related back to the Romanization of Spain and how it had the greatest and longest lasting impact on the people. Products such as olive oil, wheat, and wine were all from the colonization and influence from Romans.
From the articles and the lecture notes, it is evident that the Visigoths had a lasting impression on Spanish history and culture. The Visigoths conquered the Spanish region and are known for creating a unified nation in the area. Although they deeply influenced the region, they barely left any lasting traces showing their existence and dominance in the region since there is very few architecture or jewelry made by them. Instead, what is left are some words and surnames that developed through the progression of time. The example from the article "Surname Database: Gonzales," explains how Gonzales is actually of Germanic origin relating back to the Visigoths. It also shows how surnames change as time passes because they spread and move to other regions of the world. This is significant as there are not really many other remnants showing the influence of the Visigoths, but the Visigoths definitely were significant in Spanish history.
The YouTube video, “What is Latino” appealed to me because I had taken the Chicano studies class last quarter. The video taught me that Latino is not particularly a race, but rather a culture. A person can be Mexican and Asian but still consider themselves to be Latino. Being Latino, ties into ones identity, which I’ve learned from my Chicano studies class. Many aspects tie into ones identity; nationality, race, class, history and other important qualities. History speaks out the most about one’s identity. In lecture, we speak about the impact that the Romans had on the Iberian culture and how the Visigoths made Hispania a unified and independent state. Although the Visigoths brought chaos, they still impacted Hispania and Romans had a great influence on them. In my theory, if I am correct, Romans and Visigoths have an impact on the identity of the people of Iberia or Hispania. Not all of the people are the same, in the video, some people who are Hispanic descent, didn’t identify with Latino, I’m guessing but Identity is very important. Even in the article about defining oneself as Hispanic or Latino, it's part of the identity.
Algo que me llamo mucho la atención de los artículos y también de las presentaciones es la influencia que otras culturas tuvieron en la lengua española y en la cultura de la península Ibérica. Yo siendo hispano hablante me asombro del saber que muchas de nuestras palabras vienen de la lengua árabe. Aunque tengo que admitir que ya sabia que algunas de las palabras usadas en español eran árabes, nunca me imagine de todas las palabras árabes que usamos en conversación diaria. También algo que me llamo la atención es de las formas diferentes de la cual se escribían palabras como el apellido González. Tengo que agregar que yo de los Visigoths ni sabia que habían invadido la península Ibérica. Me asombra de cuantos diferentes estilos de arquitectura, comida, y palabras llegaron a España por diferentes culturas y por las invasiones de esas otras culturas.
I found the article entitled “Spanish’s Arab Connection: Spanish Words Derived from Arabic” by Gerald Erichsen honestly extremely interesting. I hope I am not portraying myself as ignorant, but I truly had no idea that the Arabic language had such a vital role in the production of the Spanish and English language-I always figured most languages were primarily formulated around Latin alone. However, it makes complete sense because the languages of Latin and Arabic are both extremely historical, as well as the Iberian culture. Additionally, the fact that Arabic words were integrated into Spanish beginning with the eighth century really shocked me as well. My boyfriend is from Mexico, and sometimes I tell him that he sounds Arabic when he speaks Spanish to his family-thus, this article really caught my attention! It is quite interesting how cultures throughout the world have connected with one another throughout the history of the world, and continue to flourish as separate cultures with alike characteristics such as language.
I found it very interesting that many Spanish surnames are of Visigothic origin. The popular Spanish surname 'Gonzalez' is actually of Germanic origin and was brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Visigoths during the 5th century. When most people think of the name 'Gonzalez' they tend to think of a very popular last name among mexican-americans but they have no idea what the name means or where it originated. The name 'Gonzalez' originally stems from the early German baptismal name 'Gundisalvus' which translates to 'the battle field or battle place.' The surname eventually made its way to the Iberian Peninsula when the Visigoths of Eastern Germany conquered the entire region in the 5th century. Surnames did not always exist but became necessary when the governments began to impose personal taxation. The first recorded spelling of the family name 'Gonzalez' is that of Marcos Gonzales de Junguito, which was dated July 1, 1556. It is absolutely amazing how a name that originated in Eastern Germany is all over the world, most notably Latin America. Popular among Spaniards and Iberian-influenced people all over the world, the Visigothic surnames are here to stay.
Because the Visigoths did not offer peace under their rule like the Romans did, their empire did not last long. When the Muslims invaded Spain in 711, the persecuted Jewish community and even some Christians accepted them and even fought on their side because Muslims proved to be more tolerant. Cordoba became the new political center instead of Toledo. The struggle between the two monotheistic religions of Christianity and Islam persisted until the 15th century, which marked the beginning of the Reconquest Period when the Muslims were expelled from Spain. The myth of the “Lost Spain” became an integral part of forming the Spanish identity because even though there was a lot of intermarriage, Muslims were not seen a Spaniards. According to one article, the Muslims has influenced the Spanish identity even until today. For example, the Spanish and English languages contain many words of Arabic origin like arroz, or aceituna. One article mentions how the city of Lleida banned the wearing of the Muslim burqa because it is seen as a way of suppressing. However, another article discusses the big influence of the current Muslim converts in Spain, who adopted a Sufi, non-violent form of Islam that stands for Women rights.
The article “Last Name: Gonzales” highlights an important aspect of the Visigoths and the legacy they left behind. In lecture, Professor Torrecilla has emphasized that despite dominating the Iberian Peninsula for three hundred years, the Visigothic Kingdom left behind very few remains. Upon coming to the region, the Visigoths’ influence strengthened. Strong, too, however, was the lasting, somewhat intimidating influence of those who came before them: the Romans. Professor Torrecilla explains that the reason the Visigoths left behind so few remains is that they viewed Roman culture as superior to their own, and thus were quick to assimilate. This integration resulted in a lack of purely-Visigothic remains. However, “Last Name: Gonzales” notes that the Visigoths left their legacy not in the form of tangible remains, but in the form of surnames. A lack of remains is misleading, the article implicitly contends, for the Germanic people left their legacy in another fashion—surnames—as evidenced through the development of the popular surname now commonly spelled “Gonzales.”
As far back as the beginning of the Iberian culture, war has always centered around two foci points, religion and regions. When the Romans invaded the Iberian Peninsula, they allowed for Christianity to be among their polytheistic religion , to the Romans another god was not an objection. However, along the years civil unrest began to grow as different religions became acclimated with the region. The Jews were largely persecuted by the Christians and gladly welcomed the invasion of the Moors. In “Spain’s New Muslims”, a group of converts from Spain, Catalan Junta Islámica, offers unity and integration in Spain’s society for new Muslims. I have always felt that tolerance and understanding in religion was vital. Acceptance and innovation is something that religion needs more of. In Spain we are starting to see this reinvigorated way of looking at religions. I think that it will definitely be a long and difficult process for religions to think this way, but the outcome would be worth it.
The influences of other cultures on that of the Iberian peninsula have shaped the way the Iberians eat, talk, celebrate etc. Last week, Professor Torrecilla spoke about the Celtic influences on the Spanish/latin language with words like cerveza and toro, two very important aspects of Iberian society. The article about surnames highlights that many come from the Germanic tribes that were in constant conflict with the Iberians centuries ago. Although these groups aimed to destroy each other, it is very interesting that they borrowed traditions and words from the enemy culture. This week, he focused on the impact that the Muslims and other Arabs had on this region; in fact, these are still being felt today as carried through Arabic words, food and art. As the article pointed out, the English and Spanish languages are both heavily influenced by the Arabic language. I speak Spanish but never realized that the words I know aren't wholly from the Spanish culture, but of a language I never thought I could speak. The connections between English, Spanish, and Arabic are not apparent, as these languages seem very different from each other to the common person. However, being bilingual or trilingual can really help someone further grasp learning a foreign language since many words are cognates or sound very similar. Languages interest me and I love learning about how history has impacted the way we speak and the words in our vocabulary. So despite the overwhelming fighting between Arabs and Iberians, they were (maybe subconsciously) influenced by the enemy in several aspects of their own society.
The article, Visigoths’ Heritage in Surnames, was interesting because it taught me something new that traces back to more than thousands of years ago. The common surname of “Gonzalez” that I hear on a day-to-day basis is not of Spanish or Portuguese origin, but Germanic. It is amazing to see that the history of a country has present-day effects. In lecture on Monday, I learned that the Visigoths invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 409 and ruled for three centuries. In those three centuries, the Visigoths did not leave many artifacts behind, but they did leave the legacy of a national Spanish identity, a few churches, a few pieces of jewelry, and a few words in Spanish from the Visigoths. The surname “Gonzalez” is one of the few words or influences on language that the Visigoths left. This German name, “Gundisalves”, meaning “the battle field or battle place”, shows the brusque manner of the Visigoths. During their rule, the Iberian Peninsula suffered violence, chaos, and instability due to their war-like manner. This widespread surname traces back in history to a three century rule of the Visigoths. This was not a short rule, but not as long as the Roman rule that lasted 6 centuries.
When reading the articles for this week, I found that they were intriguing and relevant to the topics covered in lecture. It surprised me to learn that the surname Gonzalez actually has a Germanic background. The Visigoths seem to have left more of a legacy than just jewelry and architecture. As for the Arabs, I didn’t realize that so many roots and words were from them but I did know that they introduced the horseshoe arch in architecture. I learned that the Moors brought with them irrigation techniques, new crops, and newfound knowledge. The Moors had such a strong impact on the Iberian Peninsula and culture that the two cultures were intertwined together. I feel that Spain banning the use of burqas and niqabs for women in public buildings is creating quite the controversy since they are taking action against a religion that was deeply implanted into their history.
The Visigothic Kingdom established by the Germanic tribes was Romanized, it was very easy for words from German origin to become part of the Latin language that is now present in the Spanish language. This explains why the famous surnames usually associated with Spain and Portugal such as Gonzalez, Gonzales, Gonzalvo, Gonzalo and many more that are from German origin can be used as proof that the Iberian Peninsula at one point in history was conquered by the Visigoths. Similarly, words from Arabic origins such as aceite, limón, rubio and many more are examples of how the Iberian Peninsula was and still is populated by different groups of people that are not necessarily considered Spanish. This emphasizes how diverse the Iberian Peninsula was due to the different groups or tribes that were able to migrate, establish and assimilate to the country and its culture. It also emphasizes the effect that their own individual cultures had on the Iberian Peninsula as a whole, bringing with them a different language that can now be traced in languages that are present around the world not only in Spain.
Looking back to what I have learned about my culture’s history, what I can remember the most is the Roman influence. However, it is interesting to notice that there are many other influences. For example, in the surname database reading I learned that ‘Gonzalez’, which turns out to be my own last name, actually comes from German. Like the reading suggested, I have always accepted the fact that my last name came from either Spanish or Portuguese. Also, it was very surprising to read that many Spanish and English words, that we all thought were from Latin, originate from Arabic. Like professor Torrecilla said during lecture, the most widely seen influences in the Iberian Peninsula come from the Romans. It is seen in the architecture, religion, culture, etc. However, the influence of the Visigoths are not seen everywhere like the Roman influence. Instead, these influences are seen in Spanish words but are often forgotten because the Roman influence overcomes them. The legacy that the Visigoths left was a united and independent kingdom. This is very important because during the pre-Roman era the Iberian Peninsula was not united, which weakened it. As a united and independent kingdom, the Iberian Peninsula became strong
Vanessa Guerrero Week 2 Post Spanish 42, Discussion F
As stated in lecture by Professor Torrecila, one of the main reasons the Muslims were able to successfully take control of the Iberian Peninsula was due to the fact that the Visigoths did not maintain the support of a majority of the population, in particular, the support of the Jewish community. The Visigoths persecuted the Jews for over a century, therefore when the Muslims invaded, many of the Jews fought on the side of the Muslims, instead of defending the ruling Visigoths. It can be argued that today discrimination is still prevalent in Spain; only rather than the Jewish community being the subject of the discrimination it is the Muslim community that is under attack. In the articles “Burkas in Spain” and “Spain’s New Muslims” the presence of Muslims in Spain is discussed as well as their treatment in Spanish society. The article “Burkas in Spain” discusses a recent law aimed at banning all face covering Islamic veils, which can be seen as a symbolic stand against the Islamic community, in an attempt to make them feel unwelcomed in their own home. Although many perceive Islam as a violent religion, the “New Muslims” in Spain work hard to contradict this notion. Spain is making positive strides toward promoting diversity, which can be illustrated in the article “Spain’s New Muslims.” The article discusses the many Muslim converts in Spain and their attempt to spread the message of Islam as a nonviolent religion. As opposed to the days of Jewish persecution, today in Spain there is no longer a dictator that forces one religion onto the entire country, but rather we can see Spain growing as a nation filled with people of various interests and beliefs. Although aspects of discrimination are still present, such as the laws put in place to ban Burkas, groups such as the “New Muslims” represent a move toward a positive nondiscriminatory direction.
The two articles "Visigoths' Heritage in Surnames" and "Arabic Influence on Language" reveal how the invasion of the Visigoths and the Moors changed the culture of the Iberian Peninsula. These invaders brought their names, language, and customs to Iberia and they were adopted into the Iberian culture. In “Visigoths’ Heritage in Surnames,” it is shown how a common Hispanic last name like “Gonzales” actually has a Germanic origin. Surnames were assigned to the Iberian people by the Visigoths and are still being carried down today from generation to generation. Also, “Arabic Influence on Language” demonstrates how many people today are not aware that the Arabic language is used in many Spanish words. Even after the Moors were expelled, many Arabic words were already legacies into their own culture and added new languages, customsassimilated in the Spanish language. Ultimately, each invader of the Iberian Peninsula leaves a legacy, weather it is small or big. The people of Iberia adopted these , and ways of living.
This week’s lectures predominantly focused on the Visigoth period as well as the Muslim invasion period. While the Visigoth reign was characterized as a period of unrest due to infighting and factions, it succeeded in uniting the people by giving them a national identity as well as a capital city in the center. However, their internal conflicts paved the way for Muslim conquest, but the Muslims too were not able to have a peaceful reign. This occurred primarily due to a cultural conflict between the Muslims and the Latin people based on region as Muslims established in the south and Christians in the north, as well as language and culture differences. Thus, the Re-conquest by Christians was able to occur, but Muslims had a lasting influence on the Iberian Peninsula. Many of this came through language as many Spanish words such as Alchemy and Algebra have their roots in Arabic language. Moreover, there’s cultural impact as well as Muslims ability to construct a mosque in modern day Spain signifies that the negative stigma associated with the cultural differences with Christians is being erased. Moreover, another sign of this push for equality occurs in the northeastern part of Catalonia as a city bans women from wearing veils in order to empower women by banning an unethical practice. While Muslim’s in Spain were suppressed historically due to cultural differences, they are able to assert their presence in Spanish society in present time. Their renewed social involvement implies the newfound cultural diversity that is being recognized in the Iberian Peninsula.
I would like to start off with the surname articles. I found that pretty cool to see the origins of both my name and my last name. My first name is Juan and that has a christianity background, and from my catholic background, it is of a religious figure in the catholic faith. Now Lopez on the other hand has an interesting twist. Very popular in Spain and South America apparently. I had mostly heard it in Mexico. It is a mixture of lupus and lobo. Originally given to tribe's people. But one thing both surname pages tell me though for sure is that both my name and my last name are very common.
The Spanish Arab connection page provided me with interesting facts about how Spanish, and for that same matter, English, have Arabic roots in the language. They were highly influenced by the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 AC. Words like Algebra, for example, all carry arabic root meanings, mainly because the majority of all arabic root based words start with the letters "al" at the beginning of the word.
The reading on "Spanish city bans face-covered Islamic veils in public buildings" is a very moving article as it talks about the ban on making women have their faces covered in the city of Catalonia in Spain. It is actually a great step into giving all women equality all over the world. While this may be a blow to the low muslim religion left in the Iberian Peninsula, it is still a good step, as I mentioned before, towards women equality, no matter what religion you may be.
The article of "Spain's New Muslims" is about Northern African people who migrate into Spain and continue to follow their muslim religion as they are tolerant there of it. They also talk about how the al-Qaeda group, wants to bring back control over the Spanish country as it once was a muslim country, but these faithful religious people fight back with peaceful movements to try and stay professing their religion in Spain. Although the population of Muslim faithful people isn't a lot, there are still a substantial amount of muslim religion followers who live in Spain.
Lecture 1 of Week 2 talks about the Visigoth invasion of the Iberian peninsula, whom in Week 2, Lecture 2, we learn that that invasion is one of three important invasions of the Iberian Peninsula; the other ones being the Roman invasion and the Islamic/muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. The lecture starts with the end of the Roman empire, and what was left of the Roman influence in the buildings that they created and what not. The lecture also talks about the Visigoth's persecution of Jews and how they were first one religion and then switched over to Catholicism. The lecture also talks about their own architecture that they created and their "obsession" with shapes like the horseshoe shape that is seen in many buildings created by them.
To finalize this post, I would like to talk about Lecture 2 for Week 2. The lecture talks about, in the start how not only did the Visigoth invasion was one of three important invasions but how also the Visigoth invasion was the most important one because it was that invasion that gave the Iberian peninsula a national identity because with this invasion, the entire Iberian peninsula was able to be unified and become one. The lecture goes on to talk about how the Visigoth empire was brought down by the Muslim invasion of 711 A.C and how King Roderick had a lot to do with why the Muslim invasion was successful, according to Professor Torrecillas. The lecture talks about how the main city of the Iberian Peninsula and of Europe during the muslim rule, was Cordoba. Also the lecture progresses to project how much influence muslims had on the peninsula and as we read in the articles, even in the language. One of the pictures in the lectures depict how the muslims turned the church into a mosque and then the mosque was later turned into a church after the Iberians retained controlled back of it.
One of the most interesting things I found in the articles with relation to the lectures was the significant influence of Arabic in the Spanish language. Having been to Granada, this language is extremely relevant in the Andalucian region, as it is the most southern point of Spain, where the Arabs entered initially and were pushed out of at the end of the reconquest. The "Alhambra," which is a word that does not appear in the list of common Spanish words with an Arab root, is one of the most famous buildings in Granada and obviously comes from an Arab influence. What I also found interesting is how many of the words in Spanish that come from the influence of the Arab conquest are also cognates for common English words, demonstrating a clear transitive influence from Arab language to our English language.
Despite the Christian reconquest of Spain after the Muslim invasion, there is still clearly a dominant Arab culture in Iberia. From the common use of hookah to the long list of words that stem from Arab roots to the existence of major mosques in cities such as Cordoba, the Muslim culture in Iberia is really ingrained into the society and may not ever be lost, no matter what religion dominates Spain.
The intersectionallity of the Muslim and Christian history has heavily shaped the present attitudes towards Muslims in Spain. In the article "Spain's New Muslim" I was starked by the bitter resentment that Spain still holds against Muslim faith which probably dates back to the Muslim invasion. This lack of pride based on Spain's strict Catholic ideology implemented now has revealed its inability to come to terms with the past to accept the present multicultural ethnic Muslim groups that call Spain their home. This sort of mentality dates back to the myth " Loss of Spain" that excludes Muslims altogether, and in some way has reproduced alienation from all realms of Spain. The only way to reveal the truth and reverse the tampered stigma of Muslim faith motives as the article insists is to spread awareness about the Islamic culture to all Spanish public. It is only through this Spain will be able to accept Muslim and other cultures with dignity to unify a nation with a rich culture that is attributed to both Muslim and Christian cultures.
There is a tremendous amount of influence that the Muslim invasion left in the Iberian Peninsula. Although they ruled the land for just a little over three hundred years, there are many indicators of that era still present in the area today. Many mosques were converted back to Christian churches. The article on “Spain’s New Muslims” delineates the tension of the Muslim people and Christians (Catholics) when it comes to these places of worship, most notably the Mezquita (Córdoba’s Mosque). One may wonder why the Catholic Church does not allow for this great cathedral to be open for Islamic worship. The answer would have to be the history, according to Professor Torrecilla, and the Reconquest that soon ensued after the reign of the Muslims. Yet, the survival of the Mezquita displays the respect that the Catholic Church had in keeping the original mosque as a place of worship, even though it is not “open” for Islamic religious practices. “Spain’s New Muslims” can be seen a revitalization of the Muslim faith in the Iberian Peninsula, what they considered as al-Andalus. This exhibits the continual presence and influence that the Muslim and Arabic people had when they ruled the region.
I found two of the links particularly interesting: the link to the history of the last name Gonzales and the link to the article “Spanish’s Arab Connection: Spanish Words Derived from Arabic.” I already knew that a lot of last names that are popular in Mexico, such as Gonzales and Garcia, are last names that came over from Spain. To see the last name Gonzales traced further back was curious, because it shows how the history of two different parts of the world weaves together. The reason the other article interested me was because it clearly showed that those of Spanish descent also have Arabic influences. My dad and I are both Mexican, yet when we’ve been through different parts of Orange County, where I grew up, we’ve been mistaken for Arabic. The fact that Spanish and the Spaniards borrowed heavily from Arabic sources validates my family’s theory that we have some Arabic features. Furthermore, I want to learn Arabic and the fact that Spanish borrowed many words from that language should make it easier to learn, if the script weren’t completely different. As we learned in class, the Arab Empire pretty much engulfed all of Spain; during these years, it’s not a stretch to say that they mixed with the natives or that there was intermarriage, something that was then repeated later when the Spaniards arrived in Mexico and Latin America.
Claire Lemieux: The most interesting feature this week, to me, was the short article about how the Spanish city of Lleida banned “the wearing of face-covering Islamic veils in municipal buildings”. This issue relates to the myth of “la pérdida de España” and its implication that Muslims are not Spaniards, which was discussed in Professor Torrecilla’s lecture. The fact that the city’s government has taken legal action against this facet of Islam indicates that the religion is viewed as a dangerous, foreign influence (rather than a product of the historical presence of the Moors),which must be curbed by Spanish authority. The mayor of Lleida, who “feel[s] proud that Lleida is the first city in Spain to regulate against something that is discriminatory against women”, sees the wearing of veils from the very narrow view that it is symbolic of misogynistic discrimination. Therefore he overlooks the fact that individual women wear “body-covering burqas or face-covering niqabs” for many different reasons, which do not necessarily include coercion or violence against women. By legislating how women in Lleida can follow their religious beliefs, the government seems to view Muslims and women as less than Spanish citizens.
The lasts two invasions of the Iberian Peninsula, the Visigoth and the Muslim, had a significant impact on Iberian culture. As noted in the article The Visigoths’ Heritage in Surnames, some of the most common surnames attributed to the Iberian Peninsula have Germanic origin. Also, the meaning of such surnames, such as Gonzalez which has war connotations, reflects the highly fragmented and violent nature of the Visigoths. Moreover, because the Iberian Peninsula was constantly in war the people did not feel safe under the Visigoths’’ rule. After the Muslims took over the Iberian Peninsula some of the culture such as language and religion stayed in the region. As demonstrated by the article Arabic influence in the language, Spanish has several word of Arabic origin. Also, the Muslim invasion was concentrated in the south of what today is the Iberian Peninsula; therefore it is more common for people of Arabic descent to inhabit the southern regions.
The article entitled "Spain's New Muslims" caught my interest because it has a cultural vibe connecting past and present-day Iberia more-so than the other articles. It is one of those feel-good articles for someone who believes in a straightforward, liberal type of equality. The article also points out how Al Qaeda's talking about regaining control of Iberia is not a good thing. I agree, as it takes away from the right of people already living there. On the other hand, “Islamic Veils Ban” is taking away from (what should be) basic human rights. Spain is the becoming the first place to ban the use of veils in public buildings. I see this similar to a ban on gloves or socks. Despite the arguments, choice in clothing is one of those few rights which we all still maintain, and which I would say can’t be taken from us. Boy was I wrong.
I found this weeks readings to be of great interest. My favorite was the reading on the Surname Database. After typing my last name into the website, I discovered that my last name is a very popular last name in Spain. What was of most interest was that it has a Germanic origin and prior to that a Visigoth origin. I was very surprised to discover this because I never thought my last name went past the Mexican history/origin.
Connecting to this, was the article about the relation of Spanish and the Arabic language. This was another shocker to me because I have not related spanish past Spain (and of course other countries where it is spoken such as Mexico, Latin America, etc.) in any other situation. To now know that most of the Spanish language come from the Arabic language is definitely something I was not expecting. Not only that, but to know that almost all words that have the prefix of al belong to the Arabic language is something extraordinary. There are SO many words in spanish that begin with al!!
One of my favorite articles for this week was definitely the article on the banning of the veil in Spain. I am not too familiar with the Muslim religion (I am slowly learning of it), but I do know that I do not understand why women must cover their bodies and their face in public. It is a very interesting cultural thing that I wish to see more about throughout this course. What made me love this article was that it mentioned one very important thing: women of all cultures, religions, or location deserve the same equality that men receive. It definitely is an eye opener to other places/ cultures.
This weeks lecture focused on the Visigoth and their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. Invasion that with it brought its traditions, customs, and ideas. It was also interesting to learn that this invasion was one of the biggest and that of course, it brought the Roman empire close to its end. I was happy to see that Professor Torrecilla also provided us with the visual context of what this invasion caused to the Iberian Peninsula. One that stood out was the renovation and the influence of the muslims such as turning churches into mosques and then of course, with the invasion those mosques becoming once more churches. It was definitely very interesting to see how a certain location can be transformed so quickly and constantly be taken aback to the way it used to be.
I found the article from The Guardian about the ban of burquas and niqabs in municipal buildings an interesting one. In other countries, the face and body covering veils are discriminatory toward women because they are portraying the women as submissive and do not give them the same rights as men have. The mayor of Lleida in Span is proud of this law that they have enacted. However, isn’t banning them completely a little disrespectful toward the Muslim religion and beliefs? Some women prefer to wear them as a sign of tradition, culture, and respect. For the government to ban the wearing of these veils seems intolerant. If a woman wanted to wear a burqua or a niqab, shouldn’t she be allowed to?
To begin with, I find the course very interesting in general. I am 1/2 Spanish and I have no idea about Spanish culture or history. It was a surprise to me to learn that many of the vocabulary I use today comes from a different origin other than Latin/ Spanish. Additionally, it was interesting to learn that the Visigoths persecuted the Jews; nonetheless, it was not choking to me with the history and treatment that the past has giving Jews. It is my believe that the Visigoths would had most likely been in power for a longer period if the would have been more tolerant with other religions. Moreover, the article discussed in the discussion has a lot of controversy. I do not follow those believes; therefore I cannot necessary speak out of my own opinion without considering both sides of the coin. The fact that many women are raised with the believe that the Burka is necessary in there society. It may be a matter of security for many countries but to these women it is a culture, pressure, and also a submission to men. Many men would not allow their wife or daughters walk out of their home without the Burka. The issue of a National security is understandable; however, we have to admit that before 9/11 this was not an issue. There is a huge influence with what occurred in the U.S. and it can be argued that banning the Burka is an act of racism.
For this week’s list of articles, I found them to be quite interesting to the topics covered in the lectures. While reading the article about the Altamira Cave, I remembered how Professor Torrecilla said that the Iberians had an obsession with bulls and horses so that could be shown within the paintings in the cave. He also said Spain is a historical creation and this cave has added to that. For the bullfighting article, I recognized that these animals were essential to Spain’s culture and that Iberian tribes used them as sacrifices in their rituals. While reading the article about Spanish foods, it could be related back to the Romanization of Spain and how it had the greatest and longest lasting impact on the people. Products such as olive oil, wheat, and wine were all from the colonization and influence from Romans.
ReplyDeleteFrom the articles and the lecture notes, it is evident that the Visigoths had a lasting impression on Spanish history and culture. The Visigoths conquered the Spanish region and are known for creating a unified nation in the area. Although they deeply influenced the region, they barely left any lasting traces showing their existence and dominance in the region since there is very few architecture or jewelry made by them. Instead, what is left are some words and surnames that developed through the progression of time. The example from the article "Surname Database: Gonzales," explains how Gonzales is actually of Germanic origin relating back to the Visigoths. It also shows how surnames change as time passes because they spread and move to other regions of the world. This is significant as there are not really many other remnants showing the influence of the Visigoths, but the Visigoths definitely were significant in Spanish history.
ReplyDeleteThe YouTube video, “What is Latino” appealed to me because I had taken the Chicano studies class last quarter. The video taught me that Latino is not particularly a race, but rather a culture. A person can be Mexican and Asian but still consider themselves to be Latino. Being Latino, ties into ones identity, which I’ve learned from my Chicano studies class. Many aspects tie into ones identity; nationality, race, class, history and other important qualities. History speaks out the most about one’s identity. In lecture, we speak about the impact that the Romans had on the Iberian culture and how the Visigoths made Hispania a unified and independent state. Although the Visigoths brought chaos, they still impacted Hispania and Romans had a great influence on them. In my theory, if I am correct, Romans and Visigoths have an impact on the identity of the people of Iberia or Hispania. Not all of the people are the same, in the video, some people who are Hispanic descent, didn’t identify with Latino, I’m guessing but Identity is very important. Even in the article about defining oneself as Hispanic or Latino, it's part of the identity.
ReplyDeleteAlgo que me llamo mucho la atención de los artículos y también de las presentaciones es la influencia que otras culturas tuvieron en la lengua española y en la cultura de la península Ibérica. Yo siendo hispano hablante me asombro del saber que muchas de nuestras palabras vienen de la lengua árabe. Aunque tengo que admitir que ya sabia que algunas de las palabras usadas en español eran árabes, nunca me imagine de todas las palabras árabes que usamos en conversación diaria. También algo que me llamo la atención es de las formas diferentes de la cual se escribían palabras como el apellido González. Tengo que agregar que yo de los Visigoths ni sabia que habían invadido la península Ibérica. Me asombra de cuantos diferentes estilos de arquitectura, comida, y palabras llegaron a España por diferentes culturas y por las invasiones de esas otras culturas.
ReplyDeleteCarlos Gutierrez
I found the article entitled “Spanish’s Arab Connection: Spanish Words Derived from Arabic” by Gerald Erichsen honestly extremely interesting. I hope I am not portraying myself as ignorant, but I truly had no idea that the Arabic language had such a vital role in the production of the Spanish and English language-I always figured most languages were primarily formulated around Latin alone. However, it makes complete sense because the languages of Latin and Arabic are both extremely historical, as well as the Iberian culture. Additionally, the fact that Arabic words were integrated into Spanish beginning with the eighth century really shocked me as well. My boyfriend is from Mexico, and sometimes I tell him that he sounds Arabic when he speaks Spanish to his family-thus, this article really caught my attention! It is quite interesting how cultures throughout the world have connected with one another throughout the history of the world, and continue to flourish as separate cultures with alike characteristics such as language.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that many Spanish surnames are of Visigothic origin. The popular Spanish surname 'Gonzalez' is actually of Germanic origin and was brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Visigoths during the 5th century. When most people think of the name 'Gonzalez' they tend to think of a very popular last name among mexican-americans but they have no idea what the name means or where it originated. The name 'Gonzalez' originally stems from the early German baptismal name 'Gundisalvus' which translates to 'the battle field or battle place.' The surname eventually made its way to the Iberian Peninsula when the Visigoths of Eastern Germany conquered the entire region in the 5th century. Surnames did not always exist but became necessary when the governments began to impose personal taxation. The first recorded spelling of the family name 'Gonzalez' is that of Marcos Gonzales de Junguito, which was dated July 1, 1556. It is absolutely amazing how a name that originated in Eastern Germany is all over the world, most notably Latin America. Popular among Spaniards and Iberian-influenced people all over the world, the Visigothic surnames are here to stay.
ReplyDeleteBecause the Visigoths did not offer peace under their rule like the Romans did, their empire did not last long. When the Muslims invaded Spain in 711, the persecuted Jewish community and even some Christians accepted them and even fought on their side because Muslims proved to be more tolerant. Cordoba became the new political center instead of Toledo. The struggle between the two monotheistic religions of Christianity and Islam persisted until the 15th century, which marked the beginning of the Reconquest Period when the Muslims were expelled from Spain. The myth of the “Lost Spain” became an integral part of forming the Spanish identity because even though there was a lot of intermarriage, Muslims were not seen a Spaniards. According to one article, the Muslims has influenced the Spanish identity even until today. For example, the Spanish and English languages contain many words of Arabic origin like arroz, or aceituna. One article mentions how the city of Lleida banned the wearing of the Muslim burqa because it is seen as a way of suppressing. However, another article discusses the big influence of the current Muslim converts in Spain, who adopted a Sufi, non-violent form of Islam that stands for Women rights.
ReplyDeleteRiley Bryson, Discussion 1F
ReplyDeleteThe article “Last Name: Gonzales” highlights an important aspect of the Visigoths and the legacy they left behind. In lecture, Professor Torrecilla has emphasized that despite dominating the Iberian Peninsula for three hundred years, the Visigothic Kingdom left behind very few remains. Upon coming to the region, the Visigoths’ influence strengthened. Strong, too, however, was the lasting, somewhat intimidating influence of those who came before them: the Romans. Professor Torrecilla explains that the reason the Visigoths left behind so few remains is that they viewed Roman culture as superior to their own, and thus were quick to assimilate. This integration resulted in a lack of purely-Visigothic remains. However, “Last Name: Gonzales” notes that the Visigoths left their legacy not in the form of tangible remains, but in the form of surnames. A lack of remains is misleading, the article implicitly contends, for the Germanic people left their legacy in another fashion—surnames—as evidenced through the development of the popular surname now commonly spelled “Gonzales.”
Alexis Aguila(703929757)
ReplyDeleteAs far back as the beginning of the Iberian culture, war has always centered around two foci points, religion and regions. When the Romans invaded the Iberian Peninsula, they allowed for Christianity to be among their polytheistic religion , to the Romans another god was not an objection. However, along the years civil unrest began to grow as different religions became acclimated with the region. The Jews were largely persecuted by the Christians and gladly welcomed the invasion of the Moors. In “Spain’s New Muslims”, a group of converts from Spain, Catalan Junta Islámica, offers unity and integration in Spain’s society for new Muslims. I have always felt that tolerance and understanding in religion was vital. Acceptance and innovation is something that religion needs more of. In Spain we are starting to see this reinvigorated way of looking at religions. I think that it will definitely be a long and difficult process for religions to think this way, but the outcome would be worth it.
The influences of other cultures on that of the Iberian peninsula have shaped the way the Iberians eat, talk, celebrate etc. Last week, Professor Torrecilla spoke about the Celtic influences on the Spanish/latin language with words like cerveza and toro, two very important aspects of Iberian society. The article about surnames highlights that many come from the Germanic tribes that were in constant conflict with the Iberians centuries ago. Although these groups aimed to destroy each other, it is very interesting that they borrowed traditions and words from the enemy culture. This week, he focused on the impact that the Muslims and other Arabs had on this region; in fact, these are still being felt today as carried through Arabic words, food and art. As the article pointed out, the English and Spanish languages are both heavily influenced by the Arabic language. I speak Spanish but never realized that the words I know aren't wholly from the Spanish culture, but of a language I never thought I could speak. The connections between English, Spanish, and Arabic are not apparent, as these languages seem very different from each other to the common person. However, being bilingual or trilingual can really help someone further grasp learning a foreign language since many words are cognates or sound very similar. Languages interest me and I love learning about how history has impacted the way we speak and the words in our vocabulary. So despite the overwhelming fighting between Arabs and Iberians, they were (maybe subconsciously) influenced by the enemy in several aspects of their own society.
ReplyDeleteThe article, Visigoths’ Heritage in Surnames, was interesting because it taught me something new that traces back to more than thousands of years ago. The common surname of “Gonzalez” that I hear on a day-to-day basis is not of Spanish or Portuguese origin, but Germanic. It is amazing to see that the history of a country has present-day effects. In lecture on Monday, I learned that the Visigoths invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 409 and ruled for three centuries. In those three centuries, the Visigoths did not leave many artifacts behind, but they did leave the legacy of a national Spanish identity, a few churches, a few pieces of jewelry, and a few words in Spanish from the Visigoths. The surname “Gonzalez” is one of the few words or influences on language that the Visigoths left. This German name, “Gundisalves”, meaning “the battle field or battle place”, shows the brusque manner of the Visigoths. During their rule, the Iberian Peninsula suffered violence, chaos, and instability due to their war-like manner. This widespread surname traces back in history to a three century rule of the Visigoths. This was not a short rule, but not as long as the Roman rule that lasted 6 centuries.
ReplyDelete-Mitzi Marquez-Avila
When reading the articles for this week, I found that they were intriguing and relevant to the topics covered in lecture. It surprised me to learn that the surname Gonzalez actually has a Germanic background. The Visigoths seem to have left more of a legacy than just jewelry and architecture. As for the Arabs, I didn’t realize that so many roots and words were from them but I did know that they introduced the horseshoe arch in architecture. I learned that the Moors brought with them irrigation techniques, new crops, and newfound knowledge. The Moors had such a strong impact on the Iberian Peninsula and culture that the two cultures were intertwined together. I feel that Spain banning the use of burqas and niqabs for women in public buildings is creating quite the controversy since they are taking action against a religion that was deeply implanted into their history.
ReplyDeleteThe Visigothic Kingdom established by the Germanic tribes was Romanized, it was very easy for words from German origin to become part of the Latin language that is now present in the Spanish language. This explains why the famous surnames usually associated with Spain and Portugal such as Gonzalez, Gonzales, Gonzalvo, Gonzalo and many more that are from German origin can be used as proof that the Iberian Peninsula at one point in history was conquered by the Visigoths. Similarly, words from Arabic origins such as aceite, limón, rubio and many more are examples of how the Iberian Peninsula was and still is populated by different groups of people that are not necessarily considered Spanish. This emphasizes how diverse the Iberian Peninsula was due to the different groups or tribes that were able to migrate, establish and assimilate to the country and its culture. It also emphasizes the effect that their own individual cultures had on the Iberian Peninsula as a whole, bringing with them a different language that can now be traced in languages that are present around the world not only in Spain.
ReplyDeleteLooking back to what I have learned about my culture’s history, what I can remember the most is the Roman influence. However, it is interesting to notice that there are many other influences. For example, in the surname database reading I learned that ‘Gonzalez’, which turns out to be my own last name, actually comes from German. Like the reading suggested, I have always accepted the fact that my last name came from either Spanish or Portuguese. Also, it was very surprising to read that many Spanish and English words, that we all thought were from Latin, originate from Arabic. Like professor Torrecilla said during lecture, the most widely seen influences in the Iberian Peninsula come from the Romans. It is seen in the architecture, religion, culture, etc. However, the influence of the Visigoths are not seen everywhere like the Roman influence. Instead, these influences are seen in Spanish words but are often forgotten because the Roman influence overcomes them. The legacy that the Visigoths left was a united and independent kingdom. This is very important because during the pre-Roman era the Iberian Peninsula was not united, which weakened it. As a united and independent kingdom, the Iberian Peninsula became strong
ReplyDeleteVanessa Guerrero
ReplyDeleteWeek 2 Post
Spanish 42, Discussion F
As stated in lecture by Professor Torrecila, one of the main reasons the Muslims were able to successfully take control of the Iberian Peninsula was due to the fact that the Visigoths did not maintain the support of a majority of the population, in particular, the support of the Jewish community. The Visigoths persecuted the Jews for over a century, therefore when the Muslims invaded, many of the Jews fought on the side of the Muslims, instead of defending the ruling Visigoths. It can be argued that today discrimination is still prevalent in Spain; only rather than the Jewish community being the subject of the discrimination it is the Muslim community that is under attack. In the articles “Burkas in Spain” and “Spain’s New Muslims” the presence of Muslims in Spain is discussed as well as their treatment in Spanish society. The article “Burkas in Spain” discusses a recent law aimed at banning all face covering Islamic veils, which can be seen as a symbolic stand against the Islamic community, in an attempt to make them feel unwelcomed in their own home. Although many perceive Islam as a violent religion, the “New Muslims” in Spain work hard to contradict this notion. Spain is making positive strides toward promoting diversity, which can be illustrated in the article “Spain’s New Muslims.” The article discusses the many Muslim converts in Spain and their attempt to spread the message of Islam as a nonviolent religion. As opposed to the days of Jewish persecution, today in Spain there is no longer a dictator that forces one religion onto the entire country, but rather we can see Spain growing as a nation filled with people of various interests and beliefs. Although aspects of discrimination are still present, such as the laws put in place to ban Burkas, groups such as the “New Muslims” represent a move toward a positive nondiscriminatory direction.
The two articles "Visigoths' Heritage in Surnames" and "Arabic Influence on Language" reveal how the invasion of the Visigoths and the Moors changed the culture of the Iberian Peninsula. These invaders brought their names, language, and customs to Iberia and they were adopted into the Iberian culture. In “Visigoths’ Heritage in Surnames,” it is shown how a common Hispanic last name like “Gonzales” actually has a Germanic origin. Surnames were assigned to the Iberian people by the Visigoths and are still being carried down today from generation to generation. Also, “Arabic Influence on Language” demonstrates how many people today are not aware that the Arabic language is used in many Spanish words. Even after the Moors were expelled, many Arabic words were already legacies into their own culture and added new languages, customsassimilated in the Spanish language. Ultimately, each invader of the Iberian Peninsula leaves a legacy, weather it is small or big. The people of Iberia adopted these , and ways of living.
ReplyDeleteJazmin Henderson
This week’s lectures predominantly focused on the Visigoth period as well as the Muslim invasion period. While the Visigoth reign was characterized as a period of unrest due to infighting and factions, it succeeded in uniting the people by giving them a national identity as well as a capital city in the center. However, their internal conflicts paved the way for Muslim conquest, but the Muslims too were not able to have a peaceful reign. This occurred primarily due to a cultural conflict between the Muslims and the Latin people based on region as Muslims established in the south and Christians in the north, as well as language and culture differences. Thus, the Re-conquest by Christians was able to occur, but Muslims had a lasting influence on the Iberian Peninsula. Many of this came through language as many Spanish words such as Alchemy and Algebra have their roots in Arabic language. Moreover, there’s cultural impact as well as Muslims ability to construct a mosque in modern day Spain signifies that the negative stigma associated with the cultural differences with Christians is being erased. Moreover, another sign of this push for equality occurs in the northeastern part of Catalonia as a city bans women from wearing veils in order to empower women by banning an unethical practice. While Muslim’s in Spain were suppressed historically due to cultural differences, they are able to assert their presence in Spanish society in present time. Their renewed social involvement implies the newfound cultural diversity that is being recognized in the Iberian Peninsula.
ReplyDeleteI would like to start off with the surname articles. I found that pretty cool to see the origins of both my name and my last name. My first name is Juan and that has a christianity background, and from my catholic background, it is of a religious figure in the catholic faith. Now Lopez on the other hand has an interesting twist. Very popular in Spain and South America apparently. I had mostly heard it in Mexico. It is a mixture of lupus and lobo. Originally given to tribe's people. But one thing both surname pages tell me though for sure is that both my name and my last name are very common.
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish Arab connection page provided me with interesting facts about how Spanish, and for that same matter, English, have Arabic roots in the language. They were highly influenced by the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 AC. Words like Algebra, for example, all carry arabic root meanings, mainly because the majority of all arabic root based words start with the letters "al" at the beginning of the word.
The reading on "Spanish city bans face-covered Islamic veils in public buildings" is a very moving article as it talks about the ban on making women have their faces covered in the city of Catalonia in Spain. It is actually a great step into giving all women equality all over the world. While this may be a blow to the low muslim religion left in the Iberian Peninsula, it is still a good step, as I mentioned before, towards women equality, no matter what religion you may be.
The article of "Spain's New Muslims" is about Northern African people who migrate into Spain and continue to follow their muslim religion as they are tolerant there of it. They also talk about how the al-Qaeda group, wants to bring back control over the Spanish country as it once was a muslim country, but these faithful religious people fight back with peaceful movements to try and stay professing their religion in Spain. Although the population of Muslim faithful people isn't a lot, there are still a substantial amount of muslim religion followers who live in Spain.
Lecture 1 of Week 2 talks about the Visigoth invasion of the Iberian peninsula, whom in Week 2, Lecture 2, we learn that that invasion is one of three important invasions of the Iberian Peninsula; the other ones being the Roman invasion and the Islamic/muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula.
The lecture starts with the end of the Roman empire, and what was left of the Roman influence in the buildings that they created and what not. The lecture also talks about the Visigoth's persecution of Jews and how they were first one religion and then switched over to Catholicism. The lecture also talks about their own architecture that they created and their "obsession" with shapes like the horseshoe shape that is seen in many buildings created by them.
To finalize this post, I would like to talk about Lecture 2 for Week 2. The lecture talks about, in the start how not only did the Visigoth invasion was one of three important invasions but how also the Visigoth invasion was the most important one because it was that invasion that gave the Iberian peninsula a national identity because with this invasion, the entire Iberian peninsula was able to be unified and become one. The lecture goes on to talk about how the Visigoth empire was brought down by the Muslim invasion of 711 A.C and how King Roderick had a lot to do with why the Muslim invasion was successful, according to Professor Torrecillas. The lecture talks about how the main city of the Iberian Peninsula and of Europe during the muslim rule, was Cordoba. Also the lecture progresses to project how much influence muslims had on the peninsula and as we read in the articles, even in the language. One of the pictures in the lectures depict how the muslims turned the church into a mosque and then the mosque was later turned into a church after the Iberians retained controlled back of it.
One of the most interesting things I found in the articles with relation to the lectures was the significant influence of Arabic in the Spanish language. Having been to Granada, this language is extremely relevant in the Andalucian region, as it is the most southern point of Spain, where the Arabs entered initially and were pushed out of at the end of the reconquest. The "Alhambra," which is a word that does not appear in the list of common Spanish words with an Arab root, is one of the most famous buildings in Granada and obviously comes from an Arab influence. What I also found interesting is how many of the words in Spanish that come from the influence of the Arab conquest are also cognates for common English words, demonstrating a clear transitive influence from Arab language to our English language.
ReplyDeleteDespite the Christian reconquest of Spain after the Muslim invasion, there is still clearly a dominant Arab culture in Iberia. From the common use of hookah to the long list of words that stem from Arab roots to the existence of major mosques in cities such as Cordoba, the Muslim culture in Iberia is really ingrained into the society and may not ever be lost, no matter what religion dominates Spain.
The intersectionallity of the Muslim and Christian history has heavily shaped the present attitudes towards Muslims in Spain. In the article "Spain's New Muslim" I was starked by the bitter resentment that Spain still holds against Muslim faith which probably dates back to the Muslim invasion. This lack of pride based on Spain's strict Catholic ideology implemented now has revealed its inability to come to terms with the past to accept the present multicultural ethnic Muslim groups that call Spain their home. This sort of mentality dates back to the myth " Loss of Spain" that excludes Muslims altogether, and in some way has reproduced alienation from all realms of Spain. The only way to reveal the truth and reverse the tampered stigma of Muslim faith motives as the article insists is to spread awareness about the Islamic culture to all Spanish public. It is only through this Spain will be able to accept Muslim and other cultures with dignity to unify a nation with a rich culture that is attributed to both Muslim and Christian cultures.
ReplyDeleteThere is a tremendous amount of influence that the Muslim invasion left in the Iberian Peninsula. Although they ruled the land for just a little over three hundred years, there are many indicators of that era still present in the area today. Many mosques were converted back to Christian churches. The article on “Spain’s New Muslims” delineates the tension of the Muslim people and Christians (Catholics) when it comes to these places of worship, most notably the Mezquita (Córdoba’s Mosque). One may wonder why the Catholic Church does not allow for this great cathedral to be open for Islamic worship. The answer would have to be the history, according to Professor Torrecilla, and the Reconquest that soon ensued after the reign of the Muslims. Yet, the survival of the Mezquita displays the respect that the Catholic Church had in keeping the original mosque as a place of worship, even though it is not “open” for Islamic religious practices. “Spain’s New Muslims” can be seen a revitalization of the Muslim faith in the Iberian Peninsula, what they considered as al-Andalus. This exhibits the continual presence and influence that the Muslim and Arabic people had when they ruled the region.
ReplyDeleteI found two of the links particularly interesting: the link to the history of the last name Gonzales and the link to the article “Spanish’s Arab Connection: Spanish Words Derived from Arabic.” I already knew that a lot of last names that are popular in Mexico, such as Gonzales and Garcia, are last names that came over from Spain. To see the last name Gonzales traced further back was curious, because it shows how the history of two different parts of the world weaves together. The reason the other article interested me was because it clearly showed that those of Spanish descent also have Arabic influences. My dad and I are both Mexican, yet when we’ve been through different parts of Orange County, where I grew up, we’ve been mistaken for Arabic. The fact that Spanish and the Spaniards borrowed heavily from Arabic sources validates my family’s theory that we have some Arabic features. Furthermore, I want to learn Arabic and the fact that Spanish borrowed many words from that language should make it easier to learn, if the script weren’t completely different. As we learned in class, the Arab Empire pretty much engulfed all of Spain; during these years, it’s not a stretch to say that they mixed with the natives or that there was intermarriage, something that was then repeated later when the Spaniards arrived in Mexico and Latin America.
ReplyDeleteClaire Lemieux:
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting feature this week, to me, was the short article about how the Spanish city of Lleida banned “the wearing of face-covering Islamic veils in municipal buildings”. This issue relates to the myth of “la pérdida de España” and its implication that Muslims are not Spaniards, which was discussed in Professor Torrecilla’s lecture. The fact that the city’s government has taken legal action against this facet of Islam indicates that the religion is viewed as a dangerous, foreign influence (rather than a product of the historical presence of the Moors),which must be curbed by Spanish authority. The mayor of Lleida, who “feel[s] proud that Lleida is the first city in Spain to regulate against something that is discriminatory against women”, sees the wearing of veils from the very narrow view that it is symbolic of misogynistic discrimination. Therefore he overlooks the fact that individual women wear “body-covering burqas or face-covering niqabs” for many different reasons, which do not necessarily include coercion or violence against women. By legislating how women in Lleida can follow their religious beliefs, the government seems to view Muslims and women as less than Spanish citizens.
The lasts two invasions of the Iberian Peninsula, the Visigoth and the Muslim, had a significant impact on Iberian culture. As noted in the article The Visigoths’ Heritage in Surnames, some of the most common surnames attributed to the Iberian Peninsula have Germanic origin. Also, the meaning of such surnames, such as Gonzalez which has war connotations, reflects the highly fragmented and violent nature of the Visigoths. Moreover, because the Iberian Peninsula was constantly in war the people did not feel safe under the Visigoths’’ rule. After the Muslims took over the Iberian Peninsula some of the culture such as language and religion stayed in the region. As demonstrated by the article Arabic influence in the language, Spanish has several word of Arabic origin. Also, the Muslim invasion was concentrated in the south of what today is the Iberian Peninsula; therefore it is more common for people of Arabic descent to inhabit the southern regions.
ReplyDeleteThe article entitled "Spain's New Muslims" caught my interest because it has a cultural vibe connecting past and present-day Iberia more-so than the other articles. It is one of those feel-good articles for someone who believes in a straightforward, liberal type of equality. The article also points out how Al Qaeda's talking about regaining control of Iberia is not a good thing. I agree, as it takes away from the right of people already living there.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, “Islamic Veils Ban” is taking away from (what should be) basic human rights. Spain is the becoming the first place to ban the use of veils in public buildings. I see this similar to a ban on gloves or socks. Despite the arguments, choice in clothing is one of those few rights which we all still maintain, and which I would say can’t be taken from us. Boy was I wrong.
I found this weeks readings to be of great interest. My favorite was the reading on the Surname Database. After typing my last name into the website, I discovered that my last name is a very popular last name in Spain. What was of most interest was that it has a Germanic origin and prior to that a Visigoth origin. I was very surprised to discover this because I never thought my last name went past the Mexican history/origin.
ReplyDeleteConnecting to this, was the article about the relation of Spanish and the Arabic language. This was another shocker to me because I have not related spanish past Spain (and of course other countries where it is spoken such as Mexico, Latin America, etc.) in any other situation. To now know that most of the Spanish language come from the Arabic language is definitely something I was not expecting. Not only that, but to know that almost all words that have the prefix of al belong to the Arabic language is something extraordinary. There are SO many words in spanish that begin with al!!
One of my favorite articles for this week was definitely the article on the banning of the veil in Spain. I am not too familiar with the Muslim religion (I am slowly learning of it), but I do know that I do not understand why women must cover their bodies and their face in public. It is a very interesting cultural thing that I wish to see more about throughout this course. What made me love this article was that it mentioned one very important thing: women of all cultures, religions, or location deserve the same equality that men receive. It definitely is an eye opener to other places/ cultures.
This weeks lecture focused on the Visigoth and their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. Invasion that with it brought its traditions, customs, and ideas. It was also interesting to learn that this invasion was one of the biggest and that of course, it brought the Roman empire close to its end. I was happy to see that Professor Torrecilla also provided us with the visual context of what this invasion caused to the Iberian Peninsula. One that stood out was the renovation and the influence of the muslims such as turning churches into mosques and then of course, with the invasion those mosques becoming once more churches. It was definitely very interesting to see how a certain location can be transformed so quickly and constantly be taken aback to the way it used to be.
I found the article from The Guardian about the ban of burquas and niqabs in municipal buildings an interesting one. In other countries, the face and body covering veils are discriminatory toward women because they are portraying the women as submissive and do not give them the same rights as men have. The mayor of Lleida in Span is proud of this law that they have enacted. However, isn’t banning them completely a little disrespectful toward the Muslim religion and beliefs? Some women prefer to wear them as a sign of tradition, culture, and respect. For the government to ban the wearing of these veils seems intolerant. If a woman wanted to wear a burqua or a niqab, shouldn’t she be allowed to?
ReplyDeleteFrancesca Zuccola
To begin with, I find the course very interesting in general. I am 1/2 Spanish and I have no idea about Spanish culture or history. It was a surprise to me to learn that many of the vocabulary I use today comes from a different origin other than Latin/ Spanish. Additionally, it was interesting to learn that the Visigoths persecuted the Jews; nonetheless, it was not choking to me with the history and treatment that the past has giving Jews. It is my believe that the Visigoths would had most likely been in power for a longer period if the would have been more tolerant with other religions. Moreover, the article discussed in the discussion has a lot of controversy. I do not follow those believes; therefore I cannot necessary speak out of my own opinion without considering both sides of the coin. The fact that many women are raised with the believe that the Burka is necessary in there society. It may be a matter of security for many countries but to these women it is a culture, pressure, and also a submission to men. Many men would not allow their wife or daughters walk out of their home without the Burka. The issue of a National security is understandable; however, we have to admit that before 9/11 this was not an issue. There is a huge influence with what occurred in the U.S. and it can be argued that banning the Burka is an act of racism.
ReplyDelete