Is Italian More Similar to Spanish or to Romanian?

Exploring the linguistic landscape, one often wonders about the similarities and differences between various Romance languages. A fascinating aspect of this comparison involves understanding the similarities between Italian and both Spanish and Romanian.

Linguistic Characteristics of Romanian

Romanian, a Romance language, has unique linguistic characteristics. Its lexical structure is deeply influenced by factors such as the historical context and external influences. For instance, the philosophical, academic, and technical Romanian register shows striking similarities with Italian in morphology, while its syntax mirrors Bulgarian. Furthermore, Romanian borrows significantly from French, contributing to approximately 73% of its technical/scientific vocabulary.

For example, the Romanian word avantajele, meaning “the advantages,” showcases the influence of French with the neologism avantaj. This is paired with typical Italian plural feminin and determined article in le, but with an enclitic form as in Bulgarian, meaning the article is placed at the end of the noun rather than the beginning.

Other Romanian words, such as resursele (resources), contrabandele (contrebande), evenimentele (eveniment), and sensibilitaile (sensibilité), demonstrate similar Romance Frenchized Balkan Sprachbund traits. This suggests that if you read the title of a Romanian newspaper or a Wikipedia article, you might encounter French neologisms more than half the way through your reading, depending on the topic.

Phonetics and Vocabulary

Phonetically, Romanian is closer to Italian than Spanish, as many Romanians attest to the ease of understanding Italian without prior study. Italian phonetics are relatively simple and the vocabulary is remarkably similar. However, reaching a C1 level of speaking Italian requires even for native speakers of Romanian, the effort of study and/or immersion.

For Spanish, while the language presents a challenge, it remains closer to Romanian than one might initially assume. Many words are recognizable, but achieving a B1 or C1 level of proficiency takes a bit longer than for Italian.

As a native Romanian speaker, my experience is that when first hearing Italian, I was struck by how much I understood without prior study. The phonetics are straightforward for us, and the vocabulary is highly similar. However, reaching a C1 level in Italian still requires significant study and immersive practice.

Similarly, Spanish is more difficult but still shares a significant number of recognizable words. After the fall of communism, when I first encountered Spanish speakers, I was amazed by how much I could understand. It turned out they were Mexican tourists, much to my surprise.

Conclusion

When comparing Italian, Spanish, and Romanian, Italian retains a close relationship with both languages, though it shows unique features independent of them. Understanding the linguistic similarities and differences is crucial for language learners and enthusiasts. Whether language study or linguistic curiosity, these insights provide valuable context for appreciating the complexities of the Romance languages.

By exploring these relationships, we not only enhance our linguistic understanding but also gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnected nature of these languages and their history.