Decastilianize

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To remove or eliminate traits of Castilian Spanish from language, culture, or expression; to reverse or undo the process of Castilian influence or assimilation; to restore local or regional linguistic or cultural characteristics in place of Castilian ones
2. To strip away or reduce the presence of Castilian Spanish elements in speech or customs; to de-emphasize Castilian aspects in favor of other dialects or traditions; to counteract the Castilianization process by reintroducing indigenous or alternative forms
3. To reverse the adoption of Castilian language or cultural norms by removing their influence; to de-Castilianize by promoting distinct local dialects or practices; to detach or separate from the dominant Castilian linguistic or cultural identity

Etymology: Castile takes its name from the many castles that once dotted its frontier. The Latin "castellum," meaning "fortress," gave rise to the Spanish "castellano," which English borrowed as "Castilian." Castile later became the dominant power on the Iberian Peninsula, and its dialect became the standard Spanish that other regions were pressed to adopt. This word is a modern formation: the prefix "de-," meaning removal or reversal, joined to "Castilianize," which means to make something Castilian in character. It describes stripping Castilian traits from a language or culture and restoring local ones in their place. It suits debates over Catalan, Basque and Galician identity, where such reversal is a live concern.

Synonyms: decastilianise, decastilianise, decastilianify, remove Castilian influence, de-spanish

Antonyms: castilianize, spanicize, spanishify, hispanicize, spanish influence