Portugal

Summary

Official Name: Portuguese Republic
Population: 10,242,000
Principal Languages: Portuguese
Literacy Rate: 96% (2018 UNESCO)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Agard 1984, Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987
Deaf Population: 150,000 audiologically deaf people (Federação Portuguesa das Associações de Surdos)
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Portugal is 16. All are living languages. Of these, 6 are indigenous and 10 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 5 are institutional, 7 are developing, 3 are in trouble, and 1 is dying. Also listed are 10 unestablished languages.

Languages

Arabic, Moroccan Spoken ary: Users: 5,800 in Portugal (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total Arabic speakers in Portugal: 25,800 (2021 Joshua Project). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 20,000 in Portugal (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total Arabic speakers in Portugal: 28,500 (2021 Joshua Project). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Asturian ast: Bragança district: Miranda do Douro and Vimioso municipalities, 2 towns. Users: 10,000 in Portugal (Salminen 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Asturian-Leonese, Asturianu Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Asturo-Leonese
Barranquian ext: Beja district: Barrancos municipality. Users: 1,500 in Portugal. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Barranquenho, Barranquênhu, Cahtúo, Cahtúö, Ehtremeñu, Extremaduran, Extremeño Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Bulgarian bul: Users: 5,030 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Caló rmq: Scattered. Users: 5,000 in Portugal. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Calão, Gitano, Iberian Romani Classification: Mixed language, Iberian-Romani
Chinese zho: Users: 10,400 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished.
Dutch nld: Users: 6,590 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
English eng: Users: 2,778,500 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 18,500 in Portugal (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 2,760,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Inglês Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Widespread. Users: 2,590,600 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 10,600 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 2,580,000 (2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Inglês Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Galician glg: Bragança and Vila Real districts: northern portions. Users: 15,000 in Portugal (1994 SIL). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Galego, Gallego Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
German, Standard deu: Users: 124,000 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 20,000 in Portugal (2019 Eurostat). L2 users: 104,000 (2019 Eurostat). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Deutsch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Guinea-Bissau Creole pov: Users: 23,700 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Creole, Portuguese based
Hindi hin: Users: 4,100 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Italian ita: Users: 5,990 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Kabuverdianu kea: Lisboa: Primarily in the neighborhoods on the outskirts of Lisbon. Users: 63,900 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc), increasing. Status: 5 (Dispersed). Classification: Creole, Portuguese based
Minderico drc: Leiria district: Porto de Mós municipality, Mira de Aire; Santarém district: Alacanena municipality, Minde. Users: 500 (2010 V. Ferreira). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Calão de Minde Autonym: Minderico, Piação dos Charales do Ninhou Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Mirandese mwl: Bragança district: Miranda do Douro and Vimioso municipalities, Miranda city; Spain border. Users: 15,000 (2000). 10,000 use it regularly, 5,000 when they return to the area. 2,000 Sendinese in Sendim Vila. Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in 4 municipalities, northeast Portugal (1999, Law No. 7-99 of 29 January). Alternate Names: Mirandês Autonym: Mirandés Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Asturo-Leonese
Portuguese por: Widespread. Users: 9,900,000 in Portugal (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 258,292,150 (as L1: 232,866,150; as L2: 25,426,000). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2005, Constitution, Article 11(3)). Autonym: Português Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Portuguese Sign Language psr: Scattered, including Azores and Madeira islands. Users: 10,000 in Portugal (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). About 0.1% of total population. Other estimates: 52,000 (2014 IMB); 60,000 (2021 EUD). Used by many of 8,000 deaf persons (Van Cleve 1986). Total users in all countries: 10,550. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1997, Constitution, Article 74(2h)). Alternate Names: LGP, Língua Gestual Portuguesa Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Romani, Vlax rmy: Scattered. Users: 500 in Portugal. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron: Users: 33,200 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 5,110 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Sãotomense cri: Users: 10,600 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Classification: Creole, Portuguese based
Spanish spa: Users: 706,330 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 9,330 in Portugal (2019). L2 users: 697,000 (2019). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 39,500 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Portuguese

[por] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2005, Constitution, Article 11(3)). 9,900,000 in Portugal (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 258,292,150 (as L1: 232,866,150; as L2: 25,426,000).

2 (Provincial)

Mirandese

[mwl] 2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in 4 municipalities, northeast Portugal (1999, Law No. 7-99 of 29 January). 15,000 (2000). 10,000 use it regularly, 5,000 when they return to the area. 2,000 Sendinese in Sendim Vila.

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 2,778,500 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 18,500 in Portugal (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 2,760,000 (European Commission 2012).

French

[fra] 4 (Educational). 2,590,600 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 10,600 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 2,580,000 (2018).

German, Standard

[deu] 4 (Educational). 124,000 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 20,000 in Portugal (2019 Eurostat). L2 users: 104,000 (2019 Eurostat).

5 (Dispersed)

Galician

[glg] 5* (Dispersed). 15,000 in Portugal (1994 SIL).

Guinea-Bissau Creole

[pov] 5* (Dispersed). 23,700 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Kabuverdianu

[kea] 5 (Dispersed). 63,900 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc), increasing.

Romani, Vlax

[rmy] 5* (Dispersed). 500 in Portugal.

Spanish

[spa] 5* (Dispersed). 706,330 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 9,330 in Portugal (2019). L2 users: 697,000 (2019).

5 (Developing)

Caló

[rmq] 5* (Developing). 5,000 in Portugal.

Portuguese Sign Language

[psr] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1997, Constitution, Article 74(2h)). 10,000 in Portugal (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). About 0.1% of total population. Other estimates: 52,000 (2014 IMB); 60,000 (2021 EUD). Used by many of 8,000 deaf persons (Van Cleve 1986). Total users in all countries: 10,550.

6b (Threatened)

Asturian

[ast] 6b* (Threatened). 10,000 in Portugal (Salminen 2007).

Sãotomense

[cri] 6b* (Threatened). 10,600 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

7 (Shifting)

Barranquian

[ext] 7 (Shifting). 1,500 in Portugal.

8a (Moribund)

Minderico

[drc] 8a (Moribund). 500 (2010 V. Ferreira).

Unestablished

Arabic, Moroccan Spoken

[ary] Unestablished. 5,800 in Portugal (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total Arabic speakers in Portugal: 25,800 (2021 Joshua Project).

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 20,000 in Portugal (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total Arabic speakers in Portugal: 28,500 (2021 Joshua Project).

Bulgarian

[bul] Unestablished. 5,030 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Chinese

[zho] Unestablished. 10,400 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Dutch

[nld] Unestablished. 6,590 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Hindi

[hin] Unestablished. 4,100 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Italian

[ita] Unestablished. 5,990 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Romanian

[ron] Unestablished. 33,200 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Russian

[rus] Unestablished. 5,110 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Ukrainian

[ukr] Unestablished. 39,500 in Portugal (2007 J. Leclerc).

Maps

Portugal and Spain

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Portugal with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Portugal 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 Portugal with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Portugal 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 Portugal 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 Portugal ($149.95, 22 page PDF)

Portugal

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Portugal and Spain

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action