The Value of the Spanish Language in Science and Technology

We analyse the specific weight of the Spanish as a primary language in scientific journals published in Spain and Latin American countries, as well as through the global scientific output covered by the main bibliographic databases of international coverage. The study highlights the importance of the Spanish as a language of scientific communication in certain disciplinary areas linked on the one hand to socio-economic regional interests of Spanish-speaking countries, as it is the case of Clinical medicine, Geology and Environment, and, on the other, to certain scientific fields of the Social sciences and Humanities, as it is the case of the Regional economy, the Literature, the History of Ibero-American countries, etc. This study aims to contribute to the better knowledge and understanding of the real and potential value of the Spanish in the scientific world, with regard to the appropriate use of this resource for the development of our societies, and its cultural and economic projection at the international level.