Why are there so many E's in Spanish abbreviations?

The origins of Spanish abbreviations

The use of abbreviations is common in all languages, and Spanish is no exception. However, Spanish abbreviations seem to have a particularity: they tend to have many E's. For instance, the abbreviation for Barcelona is BCN, while in English it is simply BAR. This peculiarity is a result of the origins of Spanish abbreviations. In the past, Spanish abbreviations were created by taking the first letters of each word in a phrase. Thus, many Spanish abbreviations ended up being composed of several words, which naturally led to more E's.

The influence of Latin

Another factor that contributed to the abundance of E's in Spanish abbreviations is the influence of Latin. Spanish, like many other Romance languages, has its roots in Latin. Latin abbreviations often ended up being used in Spanish, with the addition of Spanish letters. Since the Latin language also used abbreviations composed of several words, this practice also contributed to the use of many E's in Spanish abbreviations.

The use of E's in modern Spanish abbreviations

While the origins of Spanish abbreviations explain why they tend to have many E's, the use of E's in modern Spanish abbreviations is also influenced by the need for clarity and specificity. In many cases, adding an E to an abbreviation can help eliminate ambiguity. For example, the abbreviation for Spain is ESP, but the abbreviation for Spanish is ESPA. This helps to differentiate between the two. Additionally, the use of E's can help to create new abbreviations in a more logical way. For instance, the abbreviation for coronavirus in Spanish is COVID-19, with the E added to indicate the year of discovery, 2019.

In conclusion, the abundance of E's in Spanish abbreviations is a result of the origins of Spanish abbreviations and the influence of Latin. The use of E's in modern Spanish abbreviations serves to create clear and precise abbreviations. While it may seem strange to English speakers, it is a natural aspect of the Spanish language and its historical evolution.