Providing a comprehensive survey of language issues in the Spanish-speaking world, the book outlines the historical roots of the emergence of Spanish or Castilan as the dominant language, analyzes the situation of minority languages groups, and traces the role of Spanish and its colonial heritage in Latin American. Throughout the book Clare Mar-Molinero asks probing questions such as: How does language relate to power? What is its link with identity? What is the role of language in nation-building? Who decides how language is taught? This unique study is invaluable for anyone with an interest in Spain and the Spanish language. [Edit review] [Delete review]