Final answer:
The term 'Romance languages' denotes languages descended from Vulgar Latin and includes majors like Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Romanian, as well as less known ones such as Catalan and Romansh.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "Romance languages" refers to a group of languages that evolved from Vulgar Latin, the language spoken by the common people during the Roman Empire. These languages are predominant in Southern Europe and have a historical connection tied to the expansion and influence of the Roman civilization. Over time, geographical barriers like mountains and islands have contributed to the diversification and preservation of various dialects within the Romance language family.
Major Romance languages today include Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Romanian. However, there are additional languages such as Catalan, Romansh, and Sicilian that are also categorized as Romance languages, though they may be less internationally recognized. The dissemination of these languages is a testament to the complex history of migration, warfare, and cultural development.