Panama

Summary

Official Name
Population: 4,315,000
Principal Languages: Spanish
Literacy Rate: 95% (2018 UNESCO)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Campbell 1997, Cohen 1976
Deaf Population: 6,000
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Panama is 16. Of these, 15 are living and 1 is extinct. Of the living languages, 8 are indigenous and 7 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 1 is institutional, 9 are developing, 3 are vigorous, and 2 are in trouble. Also listed are 8 unestablished languages.

Languages

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 16,400 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, South Levantine Spoken ajp: Users: 8,600 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Buglere sab: Veraguas province: from highlands to Caribbean coast; Ngobe Bugle province: Kusapin, Muna, and Nurum districts. Users: 18,000 (2012 SIL). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Bobota, Bofota, Bugle, Muoy, Murire, Nortenyo Autonym: Buglere Classification: Chibchan, Chibchan A, Guaymiíc
Chinese, Hakka hak: Panamá province: Salsipuedes, a suburb of Panama City. Users: 29,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Chinese, Yue yue: Panamá City, Colón, larger towns of interior. Users: 34,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Emberá-Catío cto: Darién province. Users: 40 in Panama (1982 SIL). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Catío, Embena, Epera, Katio Classification: Chocoan, Emberá, Northern Emberá
Emberá, Northern emp: Darién province: Chepigana district; Emberá province; Panamá province: Chepos and Chiman districts; lowland jungle along rivers, Gulf San Miguel area. Users: 22,500 in Panama (2012 SIL). Total users in all countries: 72,200. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Atrato, Chocó, Cholo, Darien, Darien Emberá, Ebera Bedea, Empera, Panama Embera Autonym: Embera Classification: Chocoan, Emberá, Northern Emberá
English eng: Major cities. Users: 345,000 in Panama (2018), all users. L1 users: 169,000 (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Epena sja: Panamá province: southeast low hills inland. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Cholo, Embera, Emberá-Saija, Epena Saija, Eperã pedee, Epéna Pedée, Saija, Southern Empera, Southern Epena Classification: Chocoan, Emberá, Southern Emberá
French fra: Users: 43,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Greek ell: Users: 3,400 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Hindi hin: Users: 15,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Italian ita: Users: 21,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Japanese jpn: Users: 2,100 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Japonic
Kuna, Border kvn: Darién province: Paya and Pucuro villages. Users: 900 in Panama (2012 SIL). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Caiman Nuevo, Colombia Cuna, Cuna, Guna, Kuna de la Frontera, Long Hair Cuna, Paya-Pucuro Kuna, Tule Classification: Chibchan, Chibchan B, Eastern Chibchan, Cuna
Kuna, San Blas cuk: Colón province: Guna Yala comarca, Metro Colón; Darién province; Emberá and Kuna Yala provinces; Panamá province: Metro Panama City. Users: 57,100 (2000). 10,000 in Panama City, Colón, and on banana plantations (1991 SIL). Ethnic population: 80,500 (2011 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2010, Law 88, 22 November 2010). Alternate Names: Cuna, Guna, San Blas Cuna, Tule Kaya Autonym: Duleigaiya Classification: Chibchan, Chibchan B, Eastern Chibchan, Cuna
Ngäbere gym: Bocas del Toro province: Bocas del Toro and Changuinola districts; Chiriquí province: western districts, Tole district in east; Ngobe Bugle province; western Veraguas province. Users: 169,000 in Panama (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 171,840. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chiriqui, Guaymí, Ngobere, Ngäbe, Valiente Autonym: Ngäbere Classification: Chibchan, Chibchan A, Guaymiíc
Panamanian Sign Language lsp: Scattered. Users: 9,000 (2008 WFD). About 0.2% of total population. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Lengua de señas panameñas Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
San Miguel French Creole scf: Veraguas province. Users: No known L1 speakers. Last known speakers most likely survived into the late 2000s. Status: 10 (Extinct). Classification: Creole, French based
Southwestern Caribbean English Creole jam: Bocas del Toro province: Colón island; Colón province: Colón district; Panamá province: Rio Abajo in Panama City. Users: 268,000 in Panama (2000). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bocas del Toro Patois, Jamiekan, Panamanian Creole English, Panamanian Patois English, Patois, “Guari Guari” (pej.) Classification: Creole, English based, Atlantic, Western
Spanish spa: Widespread. Users: 4,222,000 in Panama, all users. L1 users: 3,880,000 in Panama (Instituto Cervantes 2019). L2 users: 342,000 (Instituto Cervantes 2019). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1972, Constitution, Article 7). Alternate Names: Castellano, Español Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Teribe tfr: Bocas del Toro province: Changuinola city, along the Teribe river; Chiriquí. Users: 3,300 in Panama (Adelaar 2007). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Nortenyo, Quequexque, Terraba, Tiribi, Tirribi Autonym: Naso Classification: Chibchan, Chibchan A
Woun Meu noa: Darién, Emberá, and Panamá provinces: southeast lowlands along Panama Bay. Users: 6,800 in Panama (Adelaar 2007). Many monolinguals (Adelaar 2007). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chanco, Chocama, Noanama, Noenama, Nonama, Waumeo, Waun Meo, Waunana, Woun Meo, Wounaan, Wounaan Meu, Wounmeu Classification: Chocoan
Yiddish, Eastern ydd: Major cities. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, Yiddish

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Spanish

[spa] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1972, Constitution, Article 7). 4,222,000 in Panama, all users. L1 users: 3,880,000 in Panama (Instituto Cervantes 2019). L2 users: 342,000 (Instituto Cervantes 2019).

5 (Dispersed)

English

[eng] 5* (Dispersed). 345,000 in Panama (2018), all users. L1 users: 169,000 (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Epena

[sja] 5* (Dispersed).

Yiddish, Eastern

[ydd] 5* (Dispersed).

5 (Developing)

Buglere

[sab] 5* (Developing). 18,000 (2012 SIL).

Emberá, Northern

[emp] 5* (Developing). 22,500 in Panama (2012 SIL). Total users in all countries: 72,200.

Kuna, San Blas

[cuk] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2010, Law 88, 22 November 2010). 57,100 (2000). 10,000 in Panama City, Colón, and on banana plantations (1991 SIL). Ethnic population: 80,500 (2011 census).

Ngäbere

[gym] 5* (Developing). 169,000 in Panama (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 171,840.

Teribe

[tfr] 5* (Developing). 3,300 in Panama (Adelaar 2007).

Woun Meu

[noa] 5* (Developing). 6,800 in Panama (Adelaar 2007). Many monolinguals (Adelaar 2007).

6a (Vigorous)

Chinese, Hakka

[hak] 6a* (Vigorous). 29,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Panamanian Sign Language

[lsp] 6a* (Vigorous). 9,000 (2008 WFD). About 0.2% of total population.

Southwestern Caribbean English Creole

[jam] 6a* (Vigorous). 268,000 in Panama (2000).

6b (Threatened)

Emberá-Catío

[cto] 6b* (Threatened). 40 in Panama (1982 SIL).

Kuna, Border

[kvn] 6b* (Threatened). 900 in Panama (2012 SIL).

10 (Extinct)

San Miguel French Creole

[scf] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Last known speakers most likely survived into the late 2000s.

Unestablished

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 16,400 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Arabic, South Levantine Spoken

[ajp] Unestablished. 8,600 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Chinese, Yue

[yue] Unestablished. 34,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

French

[fra] Unestablished. 43,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Greek

[ell] Unestablished. 3,400 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Hindi

[hin] Unestablished. 15,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Italian

[ita] Unestablished. 21,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Japanese

[jpn] Unestablished. 2,100 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Maps

Panama

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Panama with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Panama 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 Panama with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Panama 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 Panama 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 Panama ($149.95, 25 page PDF)

Panama

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Panama

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action