A 1554 English-Spanish Phrase Book: Context, Content, and Language Features

Throughout history, language learning and acquisition have been pivotal in facilitating cultural exchange, commerce, and diplomacy. Manuals designed to bridge communication gaps between different nations have been essential tools for overcoming linguistic barriers and promoting mutual understanding. This study aims to reveal intercultural and linguistic aspects of Anglo-Spanish relations in an early Modern context through a comprehensive analysis of the 16th-century phrase book. The focus is on the content of the phrase book, situating it within the historical events of the period. The research questions address the specific topics employed by Spaniards to learn English and by Englishmen to learn Spanish in the 16th century, as well as the potential influence of the French language on this learning process. The study utilizes a continuous sampling method for data collection and employs qualitative approaches, particularly thematic and etymological analyses. The outcomes include a detailed revelation of the phrase book's linguistic features and an exploration of whether words of French origin aid native speakers of related languages in learning foreign languages.