Documented Proof: How Language Authorities Settle the Fiercest Orthographic Debates

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Q1: Why is "paparazi" acceptable with a single "z" in Spanish?
A1: Spanish orthography adapts foreign words to native phonological and spelling conventions. Because double "z" is foreign to standard Spanish spelling, the RAE accepted the singular *paparazi* and plural *paparazis* as fully integrated loanwords, while retaining italicized *paparazzi* for writers preserving the original Italian spelling.

Q2: Should cardinal points like "norte" and "sur" always be capitalized in news articles?
A2: No. They must remain lowercase whenever they indicate direction, navigation, or general geographic location (e.g., *rumbo al norte*). Capitalization is reserved exclusively for proper geopolitical names (e.g., *Corea del Norte*) or recognized sovereign entities.

Q3: How should royal names like "Carlos V" be written out in formal Spanish?
A3: Because the number is ten or lower, it uses the ordinal form: *Carlos quinto*. For names above ten, such as *Luis XIV*, the expanded form switches to the cardinal numeral: *Luis catorce*.

Q4: What is the mechanical difference between "abasto" and "a basto"?
A4: *Abasto* is a noun meaning supply, food provisions, or commercial volume. *A basto* is an adverbial prepositional component used inside the verbal phrase *dar a basto*, which signifies coping with or handling an intense workload.