Book excerpt: The Spanish Language Today describes the varied and changing Spanish language at the end of the twentieth century. Suitable for introductory level upward, this book examines: * where Spanish is spoken on a global scale * the status of Spanish within the realms of politics, education and media * the standardisation of Spanish * specific areas of linguistic variation and change * how other languages and dialects spoken in the same areas affect the Spanish language * whether new technologies are an opportunity or a threat to the Spanish language. The Spanish Language Today contains numerous extracts from contemporary press and literary sources, a glossary of technical terms and selected translations.