Spanish National Identity
National identity is a multifaceted concept that shapes the way individuals perceive themselves within the context of their country. In Spain, a nation rich in history and cultural diversity, national identity is a complex interplay of various factors. This blog post aims to delve into the depths of Spain's national identity, exploring the pivotal aspects that contribute to its uniqueness. Drawing on the work of scholars like Triandafyllidou, we will also examine the dynamics of Othering within Spain's national identity.
Before delving into Spain's specific case, it is crucial to define the term "national identity." According to Triandafyllidou, national identity involves how individuals identify with their nationality, encompassing a sense of belonging to the country (Triandafyllidou, 1998, p.595). It is a multidimensional concept influenced by factors such as culture, religion, language, and history. Spain's national identity is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of various elements. Among the primary aspects influencing Spain's national identity are language, history, and the complex interplay of regional identities.
First in order to gain a a better understanding of Spain's national identity one needs to understand its history. Spain's historical narrative, marked by periods of empire, occupation, and conflict, significantly shapes its national identity. The experiences of the Reconquista, the Spanish Inquisition, and the legacy of the Moorish rule all contribute to the multifaceted identity of Spain. While most people mark the creation Spain in 1479 the result of a personal union between the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile, throughout most of its history thought it was under a single monarch, most of these regions still more or less operated independently and not a single political unit. During this time, most people where united through their common religion instead of a political sense. It was only after the power of the church started to wane in the 18th century did the monarchy start to centralize the state. The defining moment when really Spain established itself as a nation-state though was during the Peninsular war against napoleon, and with the creation of the constitution of 1812 (Sanjuán 2023). Here, was the first time Spain was defined as a political entity based on the new ideas of national sovereignty. Later on, with the Spanish Civil war and the rise of Franco, the ideas of a “national identity” were further reinforced on the people. During Franco's rule he used the ideology of Spanish nationalism to justify his brutal and central regime as well as oppression against political dissent and regional autonomy (Torrecilla 2009). This can be seen by him making Spanish the only official language while suppressing other regional languages. This is really important as language is one of the main factors of nationality.
Despite the emphasis of the Spanish nation-state, within the state there are many other internal “significant others” that one must consider. During the transition to democracy in the twentieth century, following the 1978 constitution, Spain was split into multiple autonomous communities, each with they’re on parliaments and government. In addition, eight of the autonomous communities are (Andalucia, Aragon, Basque Country, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Galicia, and Valencia) are officially designated as nationalities. So, we see that in Spain, not only does one hold a “Spanish” nationality but depending on the region they are in, another nationality.
When talking about the national identity in Spain, language is an important factor that must be discussed. Spanish, or Castilian, stands as a unifying force in Spain. The Spanish language serves as a common thread, connecting people across diverse regions. Language plays a crucial role in fostering a shared sense of identity, contributing to the cohesion of the nation. Yet regional languages are almost just as important in Spain. As we know, during Franco rule, Spain was made only national language of the state and all other minorities languages were suppressed. But after the establishment of the various autonomous communities many of these languages were made co-official with Spanish. The main ones being Catalan / Valencian, Basque, Galician, Aranese. While most of these have some degree of mutually intelligibility with Spanish apart from Basque which is part of a totally different language family, there regional languages play and important role in defining these regions. In the past during the twentieth century more people chose to speak their regional language, but as we go into the 21st century with the establishment of schools, most which decide to teach in Spanish instead of their regional language, less people are speaking their regional language and instead choose to speak Spanish, this is seen especially in the younger generations. Apart from certain communities such as Basque which greatly differs from Spanish, we see that where many people choose to instead speak their regional language instead of Spanish (Fisherman 1991), Therefore, we see how these regional languages conflict with the official Spanish language in the defining of Spanish nationalism.
Lastly, religion, particularly Catholicism, has historically played a central role in shaping Spain's national identity. The fusion of religion and politics during the Reconquista and the subsequent establishment of Catholicism as the state religion contributed to a shared cultural and religious identity among Spaniards. Despite increasing secularization in recent decades, the cultural and historical imprint of Catholicism remains a key element in defining Spain's national character.
Applying Triandafyllidou's terminology, we can examine the dynamics of Othering within Spain's national identity. Othering involves the categorization of groups as 'significant others,' contributing to the definition of the nation. Within Spain, regional identities can be seen as internal significant others. The diverse autonomous communities may be perceived differently, leading to the coexistence of various regional identities alongside the overarching Spanish identity. In recent years, Spain has faced many issues with her significant internal others. Many regions such as a Catalan and Basque are demanding more autonomy. Some of these parties like the Republican Left of Catalonia, Convergence and Union, Basque Nationalist Party, and Galician Nationalist Bloc are demanding greater autonomy to outright independence. In response to these movements, we see see parties emerging emphasizing further centralization, Spanish national identity, and territorial unity. Therefore, when focusing on the nationalism we see that regional nationalism is just an important topic in politics as Spanish nationalism.
In conclusion, Spain's national identity is a nuanced and dynamic construct, influenced by language, history, and regional diversity. The intricate dynamics of Othering within the Spanish context add further complexity to the nation's identity. By understanding these factors, we gain insight into the rich tapestry that forms Spain's national identity, fostering a deeper appreciation for the diversity and unity coexisting within the country.
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References
Brenan, G. (1982). The Spanish Labyrinth. Cambridge University Press.
Sanjuán Profesor Titular de Sociología, V. C. (2023, August 7). Does Spanish nationalism exist?. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/does-spanish-nationalism-exist-209052
Fishman, J. A. (1991). Reversing language shift: Theoretical and empirical foundations of assistance to threatened languages. Multilingual Matters.
Torrecilla, J. (2009). Spanish identity: Nation, myth, and history. Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature, 33(2). https://doi.org/10.4148/2334-4415.1699
Triandafyllidou, A. (1998). National Identity and the “other.” Ethnic and Racial Studies, 21(4), 593–612. https://doi.org/10.1080/014198798329784