Crossword Genius

Spanish and German articled entitled to respect? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elder

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spanish' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'german articled entitled to respect?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'german' could be 'de' (language code) and 'de' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elder that I've seen before include "Bush" , "Senior type of tree?" , "Kind of tree or senior person in tribe" , "Layman of the church" , "Kind of tree or sage person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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