Spain

Summary

Official Name: Kingdom of Spain
Population: 47,163,000
General Remarks: Under the 1978 constitution all Spanish provinces organized themselves into 19 autonomous communities, including the northwest African cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Only those communities have the constitutional authority to designate official regional languages alongside Spanish. Spain continues to have a political association with the Canary Islands
Principal Languages: Spanish
Literacy Rate: 98% (2018 UNESCO)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ECRML (1992), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), (), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Agard 1984, Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987, Stephens 1976
Deaf Population: 120,000–2,384,000
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Spain is 21. Of these, 20 are living and 1 is extinct. Of the living languages, 15 are indigenous and 5 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 6 are institutional, 5 are developing, 1 is vigorous, 7 are in trouble, and 1 is dying. Also listed are 46 unestablished languages.

Languages

Albanian, Tosk als: Users: 4,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Tosk
Arabic, Algerian Spoken arq: Users: 64,700 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Egyptian Spoken arz: Users: 4,140 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Moroccan Spoken ary: Users: 870,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 9,630 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Tunisian Spoken aeb: Users: 2,900 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Aragonese arg: Aragon autonomous community: Huesca and Zaragoza provinces; Pyrenea (north border), Navarra (west border); north of Montsó (east). Ansó, Berdún, Chaca, Chasa, and Echo towns (Western Aragonese dialect); Bielsa, Biescas, Broto, L’Ainsa, Panticosa, Torla, and Yebra (Central Aragonese dialect); Benás (Benasque, Benasc, Patués), Bisagorri, Campo, Estadilla, Graus, Perarruga, and Plan (Eastern Aragonese dialect); Agüero, Alguezra, Almudébar, Angüés, Ayerbe, Balbastro, Bolea, Labata, Lierta, Nabal, Nozito, Pertusa, Rasal, and Uesca (Southern Aragonese). Users: 25,600 (Reyes et al 2017), all users. L1 users: 8,430 (Reyes et al 2017). No monolinguals (2017). Ethnic population: 1,550,000 (2019 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Altoaragonés, Aragoieraz, Aragonais, Aragonès, Fabla, Fabla Aragonesa, High Aragonese, Navarroaragonés, Patués Autonym: Aragonés Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Pyrenean-Mozarabic, Pyrenean
Armenian, Western hyw: Users: 12,100 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Armenian
Asturian ast: Asturias, Castille and Leon autonomous communities. Users: 550,000 in Spain, all users. L1 users: 100,000 in Spain (Salminen 2007). 50,000 in Central Asturian, 30,000 in Western Asturian, 20,000 in Eastern Asturian. L2 users: 450,000 (1994 F. Botas). Ethnic population: 550,000 (1996). Total users in all countries: 560,000 (as L1: 110,000; as L2: 450,000). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Astur-Leonese, Asturian-Leonese, Asturleonese Autonym: Asturianu Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Asturo-Leonese
Basque eus: País Vasco autonomous community: Alava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa provinces; Navarra autonomous region. Users: 464,000 in Spain (European Commission 2012). Ethnic population: 2,000,000 residents of 3 provinces of Basque territory; 25% born outside territory, 40% in territory born to Basque parents. 4,400,000 in Spain have Basque surname; 19% live in Basque country. Total users in all countries: 563,860. Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Basque Country Autonomous Community (1979, Basque Country Autonomous Community Act 3, 1979, Article 6.1). Alternate Names: Euska, Euskera, Euskerie, “Vascuense” (pej.) Autonym: Euskara Classification: Language isolate
Belarusian bel: Users: 5,660 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Bengali ben: Users: 19,800 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
Bosnian bos: Users: 1,190 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Bulgarian bul: Users: 117,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Caló rmq: Scattered. Users: 40,000 in Spain. Total users in all countries: 460,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Caló Romani, Gitano, Hispanoromani, Iberian Romani, Romanó Autonym: Caló Classification: Mixed language, Iberian-Romani
Catalan cat: Aragon, Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and Valencia autonomous communities; Murcia autonomous community: Carche region. Users: 8,810,000 in Spain, all users. L1 users: 3,710,000 in Spain (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 5,100,000 (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 9,241,310 (as L1: 4,141,310; as L2: 5,100,000). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Catalonia Autonomous Community (1979, Autonomy Act, No. 4, Article 3(2,5)). Statutory provincial language in Valencia Autonomous Community (1982, Autonomy Act, No. 9, Article 7), called Valencian in local laws. Statutory provincial language in Aragon Autonomous Community (1982, Autonomy Act, No. 8, Article 7), called LAPAO (Eastern Aragonese) in local laws. Statutory provincial language in Balearic Islands (1983, Statute of Autonomy of the Balearic Islands, No. 2, Article 3(3)). Alternate Names: Catalan-Valencian-Balear, Catalonian, Catalán, Valencian Autonym: Català Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, East Iberian
Catalan Sign Language csc: Scattered in Catalonia. Users: 25,000 (Jarque et al 2019), all users. Estimate for deaf and hearing cited from 2010 Federació de Persones Sordes de Catalunya. L1 users: 12,000 (Jarque et al 2019). Estimate cited from 2010 Federació de Persones Sordes de Catalunya. Total deaf sign signers for all three sign languages in Spain: 60,000–80,000 (2000 Instituto Nacional de Estadística), 100,000 (2019 EUD). Status: 6b (Threatened). Provincially recognized language in Catalonia Autonomous Community (2006, Basic Law No. 6 of 19 July). Provincially recognized language in Balearic Islands Autonomous Community (1985, Autonomy Act, No. 2, 1985, Article 3(2)). Provincially recognized language in Catalonia Autonomous Community (2010, Law 17/2010, DOGC 5647, 10-6-2010). Recognized language (2007, Law 27/2007, Official language of the deaf Community). Alternate Names: CSL, Catalonian Sign Language, LSC, Lengua de Señas Catalana, Lengua de Signos Catalana, Llengua de Signes Catalana, Llenguatge de signes Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Chinese, Mandarin cmn: Users: 229,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Croatian hrv: Users: 2,840 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Czech ces: Users: 6,950 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Danish dan: Users: 8,860 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Danish-Riksmal, Danish
Dutch nld: Users: 64,600 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
English eng: Users: 10,825,000 in Spain, all users. L1 users: 425,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 10,400,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Inglés Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Erromintxela emx: Scattered in País Vasco autonomous community. Users: 500 in Spain (2009 J. McLaughlin). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Basque Caló, Basque Romani, Caló Vasco, Errominchela Classification: Mixed language, Basque-Romani
Estonian, Standard ekk: Users: 2,720 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Extremaduran ext: Castille and Leon autonomous community: southwest Salamanca province; Extremadura autonomous community: northwest Caceres province. Users: 200,000 in Spain. 500,000 able to use it, including some monolinguals (1994 T. Erickson). Most use northern dialect. Ethnic population: 1,100,000 (1994). Total users in all countries: 201,500. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Barranquian, Cahtúo, Cahtúö, Extremeño Autonym: Barranquênhu, Ehtremeñu Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Fala fax: Extremadura autonomous community: Cáceres province, Sierra de Gata region, As Ellas, San Martín de Trebellu, and Valverdi du Fresnu towns, in Val de Xálima (Val du riu Ellas), an isolated valley on the Portugal border. Users: 8,600 (2018 census). 3,600 live in the language area (2018 census); 5,000 outside, many of whom return each summer (2016 J. Pearson). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: A Fala de Xálima, A Fala do Xãlima, Galaico-Extremaduran Autonym: Fala, Nosa Fala Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Finnish fin: Users: 11,100 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Finnic
French fra: Scattered. Users: 2,253,000 in Spain, all users. L1 users: 253,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 2,000,000 (2019). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Galician glg: Castille and Leon autonomous community: western Leon and Zamora provinces; western Asturias and Galicia autonomous communities. Users: 2,320,000 in Spain (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 3,127,900. Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Galicia Autonomous Community (1981, Autonomy Statute, Act 1 of 6 April, Article 5). Alternate Names: Gallego Autonym: Galego Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Gascon, Aranese oci: Catalonia autonomous region: Aran valley, northwest corner, Garona river headwaters, Pyrenees mountains. Users: 3,810 in Spain (1991 census). Spoken by most of the 4,800 living in the Aran Valley in the Pyrenees (Salminen 2007). Ethnic population: 5,550 (1991). Status: 6b (Threatened). Provincially recognized language in Catalonia (2010, Occitan Act, Autonomous Community of Catalonia Parliament, 22 September), Aranese in local laws. Alternate Names: Aranese, Aranés, Aranés Occitán, Arnais, Gascón Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, Oc
Georgian kat: Users: 20,400 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kartvelian, Georgian
German, Standard deu: Users: 639,000 in Spain, all users. L1 users: 116,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 523,000 (2019 Eurostat). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Alemán, Deutsch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell: Users: 5,100 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Guanche gnc: Canary Islands. Users: No known L1 speakers. Last speaker likely died in the 17th century (2011 M. Kossmann). Status: 10 (Extinct). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber
Hungarian hun: Users: 10,600 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic
Icelandic isl: Users: 1,430 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, West Scandinavian
Indonesian ind: Users: 1,970 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Chamic, Malayic, Malay
Italian ita: Users: 256,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Japanese jpn: Users: 6,160 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Japonic
Kabuverdianu kea: Users: 3,100 in Spain (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based
Kazakh kaz: Users: 2,900 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian
Korean kor: Users: 4,160 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Koreanic
Kurdish, Northern kmr: Users: 1,320 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
Latvian, Standard lvs: Users: 5,040 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Lithuanian lit: Users: 15,800 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Nepali npi: Users: 5,480 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Eastern, Eastern Pahari
Polish pol: Users: 51,800 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Portuguese por: Castille and Leon autonomous community, Extremadura autonomous community. Users: 197,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Punjabi, Western pnb: Users: 29,700 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Panjabi, Western Panjabi
Quinqui quq: Scattered throughout the north. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Mercheros Classification: Unclassified
Romani, Vlax rmy: Users: 1,000 in Spain (2000). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron: Users: 657,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 78,900 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Serbian srp: Users: 3,800 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Slovak slk: Users: 5,760 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Slovene slv: Users: 1,700 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Spanish spa: Widespread. Users: 46,490,000 in Spain, all users. L1 users: 41,900,000 in Spain (2019). L2 users: 4,590,000 (2019). Total users in all countries: 548,348,990 (as L1: 474,721,850; as L2: 73,627,140). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1978, Constitution, Article 3(1)), recognized statutory language in all autonomous cities and communities under various local laws. Alternate Names: Castilian Autonym: Castellano, Español Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Spanish Sign Language ssp: Scattered, except in Catalonia and Valencia autonomous communities. Users: 60,000 (2019). Deaf sign language users, total for all three sign languages in Spain: 60,000–80,000 (2000 Instituto Nacional de Estadística), 100,000 (2019 EUD). Based on these numbers and proportions of total population in various regions in Spain, estimated 45,000–75,000 for LSE. Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2007, Law 27/2007, Official language of deaf community). Alternate Names: LSE, Lengua de Señas Española, Lengua de Signos Española, Mímica Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Swedish swe: Users: 19,900 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Swedish
Tagalog tgl: Users: 37,200 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Tagalog
Thai tha: Users: 2,220 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Turkish tur: Users: 4,760 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 111,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Urdu urd: Users: 64,300 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Valencian Sign Language vsv: Scattered in Valencia. Users: 6,000 (2014). Deaf sign language users, total for all three sign languages in Spain: 60,000–80,000 (2000 Instituto Nacional de Estadística), 100,000 (2019 EUD). Based on these numbers and proportions of total population in various regions in Spain, estimated 6,000–10,000 for LSV. Status: 6b (Threatened). Provincially recognized language in Valencia (2006, Law 1-2006, Autonomy Statute of Valencia, Article 13(4)). Alternate Names: LSCV, LSPV, LSV, Lengua de Signos Valenciana, Llengua de Signes Valenciana, Llengua de Signes en la Comunitat Valenciana, Llengua de signes del País Valencià Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Vietnamese vie: Users: 2,350 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Vietnamese

Maps

Portugal and Spain

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Spain with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Spain is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Spain with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Spain is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Spain in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Spain ($149.95, 32 page PDF)

Spain

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Portugal and Spain

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action