The letter “w” is not traditionally part of the Spanish alphabet. Its presence in Spanish vocabulary is almost exclusively due to loanwords, primarily from English, German, and other languages. These loanwords, such as “whisky” (whiskey) and “waterpolo” (water polo), retain their original spelling, including the “w.” Occasionally, words from indigenous American languages, like “guagua” (bus, in some Latin American countries) also incorporate this letter.
The inclusion of these foreign terms reflects the evolving nature of language and the cultural exchange that occurs through globalization. Borrowing words allows Spanish speakers to readily incorporate new concepts and technologies, often bypassing the need to create new vocabulary from existing roots. This linguistic adaptation demonstrates the dynamism of Spanish and its capacity to absorb and integrate external influences.
