Senda vs sendero
 

Hi,

Is there any subtle difference between these two words?

I don't see any actual difference in meaning between them.
The current usage maybe says more often "senda" when we talk about a figurative path that someone followed to achieve a goal, but "sendero" works for that as well.


There must be some story involving the etymology, because "semita" (the origin of "senda") in Latin is a path, but "semitarius" (the origin of "sendero") is an adjective meaning "fond of pathways". The usage was obviously modified by speakers since ancient times. :D

So Partido Comunista del Perú - Sendero Luminoso could have been Partido Comunista del Perú - Senda Luminosa without sounding weird or ridiculous?

Names in general don't sound ridiculous or weird, unless there is a clear and established different connotation of the words used. Otherwise, they become associated with the things or entities they name from the start, to mean what they intend to.


Today, if you say "senda luminosa" instead of "sendero luminoso", it would of course be weird and ridiculous, since you already know the original name and its history. At the time the movement was created, they could have called themselves whatever they wanted and everyone would have got used to it. :)