Tilde makes its mark on 'n'
The ñ (pronounced EN-yeh) is perhaps the most recognizable letter in the Spanish language.
"España" (Spain) wouldn't literally be the same country without that gracious mark or tilde on the n as much as Mexican food wouldn't taste so deliciously hot without "jalapeños."
Even if your English keyboard doesn't have it, the letter with the squirmy worm on top, a mark called "virgulilla" in Spanish, can appear at the snap of your fingers. Just press "insert" on the toolbar and look for it after selecting "symbol." Or simply hold onto the n when using mobile devices.
It seems that Spanish understood the urgency of space since medieval times when devoted scribes and monks who were in charge of translating Latin manuscripts opted to use one letter instead of two, like in "año" for "annvs" (year) and "señor" for "senior" (elder).
Indeed, while other languages, such as French and Portuguese, use the combination gn and nh, like in "cognac" and "caipirinha," respectively, as if taking the time to savor every single drop of their own spirit and cocktail, Spanish opts for immediate gratification, like in "caña," swallowing a giant glass of beer at once.
Nevertheless, the letter ñ stands far from being simply a quick fix. It is here to stay in spite of technological devices aiming for the standardization of languages or the always growing influence of English across borders.
It is true that English took some liberties by adapting the Spanish word "cañón" for "canyon," as in "the Grand Canyon," or simply stripping the ñ from its tilde as in Cape Canaveral, a name that derives from the Spanish "cañaveral," used to describe places with reeds or "cañas."
However, the Oxford English Dictionary has also accepted Spanish words without changing their spelling, such as "mañana" (tomorrow), "doña" (lady), "señor(a)"(Mr./Ms.) and "señorito (a)" (young man/lady).
Besides, we are still celebrating fiestas with "piñatas" as much as trembling to the possibility of another "El Niño" appearing in our radars to wreak havoc on the world's weather. Its name was coined by Peruvian fishermen who associated this natural phenomenon with "the Christ child" since its peak occurs at Christmas, explains The Guardian in an article that announces the chance of experiencing another global change this year.
History has also secured a place for the ñ. Remember that the Spanish ship "La Niña" was used by Christopher Columbus in his first trip to the New World in 1492 along with "La Pinta" and "Santa María."
By the way, the first European to see the Pacific Ocean was supposedly Vasco Núñez de Balboa — note the ñ in the last name. Yes, the ñ not only survives but multiplies through common names like Acuña, Briceño, Castañeda, Ibañez, Madueño, Muñoz, Ordoñez, Peña, Quiñones, Saldaña and Zuñiga. How about Ñañez?
Spanish is not the only language with the letter ñ. Two native languages in Peru — Quechua and Aymara — also offer this letter. Take the word "vicuña," for instance, which comes from the Quechua "wik'uña" and Merriam-Webster dictionary describes as a "wild ruminant of the Andes."
The letter ñ was created not to spoil but simplify the language. That's why Italian dishes like "lasagna" and "gnocchi" are written in Spanish as "lasaña" and "ñoqui," and they taste just the same.
It doesn't matter if the ñ appears "naked" or without its wormy mark, as long as the meaning remains clear. I doubt, for example, that American singer Rupert Holmes would be longing indefinitely for a lady who enjoys drinking "piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain," in a world where the letter ñ didn't exist.
Keep in mind, however, the difference between ñ and n when celebrating New Year's Eve. How could I say it? The phrase "Feliz Año Nuevo" might put you in serious trouble without the mark on "año" … unless that slap on the face was exactly what you needed to start learning Spanish.