* Spanish was already in America: When Cortés arrived in Mexico in 1519, there were already pockets of Spanish-speaking communities in the Caribbean, established by previous Spanish explorers.
* Conquest and Colonization: Cortés' conquest of the Aztec Empire was a pivotal moment. The Spanish conquest brought with it a massive influx of Spanish colonists, soldiers, missionaries, and officials. Spanish became the language of administration, trade, and religious instruction.
* Language Shift: Over time, indigenous languages were suppressed and replaced by Spanish. This was a gradual process that involved several factors:
* Forced assimilation: Indigenous children were often taken from their families and sent to Spanish schools, where they learned the language.
* Economic and social pressures: Speaking Spanish opened up opportunities for education, employment, and social mobility.
* Missionaries and the Catholic Church: Spanish missionaries played a significant role in spreading the language through religious instruction.
Important to note:
* The impact of the Spanish language on indigenous languages was not uniform across all of the Americas. Some languages, like Quechua and Nahuatl, survived and continue to be spoken by millions today.
* The Spanish language in the Americas is not monolithic. Over centuries, it has developed distinct dialects and regional variations.
In summary, while Cortés didn't personally bring Spanish to the Americas, his conquest and the subsequent colonization played a crucial role in its spread and dominance in many parts of the continent.