Indigenous Languages, Bilingualism, and Literacy in Hispania Citerior, Third Century bce–First Century ce

Abstract

Hispania Citerior allows us to reconstruct the linguistic panorama prior to Latinization particularly well. Apart from the onomastic data that can be used to identify linguistic areas, this region also provides a substantial number of inscriptions in the different vernacular languages. This chapter exploits this rich epigraphic record, relating it to the development of Latin epigraphy in the area and to other relevant archaeological material, such as writing equipment, to analyse the evolution of local written culture, as well as language contact and bilingualism during the first centuries after the conquest. This approach aims to contribute to a better understanding of how and why most of the vernacular languages of Citerior were eventually replaced by Latin.