Evolution of Expressions Used in the Spanish Version of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Linguistic Significance and Pedagogical Vision in the Changes

The Spanish version of the Common European Framework of Reference: Companion Volume (CEFR CV), published by the Institute) Cervantes in 2021,included notes on the translation into Spanish. These notes described the 'evolution' in selecting terms and constructing expressions for the Spanish version and explained the purpose behind these choices. This study categorized the changes into three main areas: 'consideration of sign language,' 'inclusive approach toward gender,' and 'removal of the ideal of the native speaker.' It further analyzed the linguistic significance and pedagogical vision embedded in these changes. The Spanish version of the CEFR CV acknowledged sign language as an independent language, thereby laying the groundwork for structured sign language education. It adopted an inclusive perspective on gender, separating masculine and feminine forms instead of using the inclusive masculine for singular cases. Additionally, it removed the traditional description that set native speakers as the ideal interlocutors, advocating instead for the value of intercultural speakers as the goal for foreign language learners. These changes promote the learning, teaching, and assessment of Spanish in a more inclusive manner by encouraging a broader and more comprehensive use of the language.