[Chris Evans]

Ho Gonzalo,

Originally Posted by Gonzalo G

Franco enforced the unity of the country in base of the centralist castilian government and the linguistic hegemony of the castilian, which had became the ´spanish´ language. Though in some provinces is still used today their local language, even at university level since the death of the dictator.

Yes, that is so. I don't know when the secessionist tendencies started to really become strong, but I find it interesting that the ban on weapons commenced with the demise of the Hapsburgs and the Burbon ascendancy at the start of the 18th century, when the Spanish empire commenced its retreat.

I give you a link to the Real Academia Española. You will find all the information you need, and the access to the dictionary.

http://www.rae.es/RAE/Noticias.nsf/Home?ReadForm

The Academy was created in the beginning of the 18th Century. You can read a little article about, here:

http://www.elcastellano.org/lodares1.html

Many thanks for the links - They will prove to be invaluable.

Cheers
Chris