About the Spanish Academic Network

The Spanish Academic Network was launched in the Spring of 2006. The Spanish Academic Network has two main goals:

(1) To provide Spanish learners a free and effective online portal for advancing their studies of Spanish and for conducting linguistic and cultural research;
(2) To provide a free and effective e-Publishing portal for academics (students and teachers) and qualified independent writers.

What is unique about our learning systems?

The Internet contains thousands of websites for learning Spanish; however, there are few websites that help advanced learners refine their skills. The Spanish Academic Network provides advanced Interactive Studies designed to help visitors enrich their vocabulary and fine tune their writing skills.

Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Spanish Linguistics

The Spanish Academic Network embraces both descriptive and prescriptive linguistics. Descriptive linguistics describes linguistic reality and change without making judgments as to the correctness of what is discovered. Prescriptive linguistics tends to ascribe a normative value to written or spoken language. If we were to speak or write Spanish in an educated register, it would be possible to find "good" Spanish and "not as good" Spanish. Any professor who has to grade essays will come across Spanish word choice or syntax that is technically correct, but sounds unnatural, un-rich, or even unintelligent. Why does an argument by Ortega y Gasset "sound" more convincing and intelligent than an argument by a typical Spanish student? Some may answer that the famous Spanish writer has a greater vocabulary and he is able to use his words more effectively by choosing the right words to convey his message. The Spanish Academic Network designs Interactive Studies that will help English to Spanish learners and Spanish speakers approximate the skills of a good Spanish speaker and writer. As such, the Interactive Studies tend to be more advanced than studies found elsewhere on the Internet.

Academic Publishing on The Spanish Academic Network

Would you like to have an impartial second reader for a manuscript you have written in Spanish? Would you like to know how you can put your Spanish poetry in front of an educated audience? Do you have a list of translation errors you keep finding in the press? Would you like more input on your dissertation? Do you have a unique take on a historical subject? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be eligible for academic e-Publishing through the Spanish Academic Network.

Free e-Publishing for Educators

If you are a college or university professor, you may join the Spanish Academic Network for free, receive an online profile for free, and publish your work for free. Learn more

Free e-Publishing for Students

If you are a Master's or Doctoral student of Spanish culture, society, history or language, you may join the Spanish Academic Network for free, receive an online profile for free, and publish your work for free. Learn more