While they share a common ancestor – Latin – they have evolved independently over centuries, developing their own individual characteristics.
Here's a breakdown of why they are considered distinct languages:
* Grammar: The grammar of each Romance language has diverged from Latin and developed its own rules and structures. For example, Spanish uses the subjunctive mood more extensively than Italian.
* Vocabulary: Romance languages have borrowed words from other languages, adapted existing Latin words, and created new words through various processes, leading to distinct vocabularies. For instance, French has a significant number of words derived from Germanic languages.
* Pronunciation: The sounds of Romance languages have changed significantly from Latin, and each language has its own unique phonological system.
Therefore, while these languages share a common origin, their individual features and evolution make them distinct and separate languages, earning them the designation of "languages."