Standard

RO

Romania

Summary

Official Name
Population
19,186,000
Principal Languages
Romanian
Literacy Rate
99% (2018 UNESCO)
International Conventions
CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ECRML (1992), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006)
General References
Agard 1984, Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987, Du Nay 1977, Hancock 1979, Hancock 1988
Deaf Population
30,000
Language Counts
The number of established languages listed for Romania is 29. All are living languages. Of these, 5 are indigenous and 24 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 4 are institutional, 21 are developing, 1 is vigorous, and 3 are in trouble. Also listed are 3 unestablished languages and 1 macrolanguage.

Languages

Albanian, Gheg aln
Bucharest and Constanta counties; Dolj county: Craiova city. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Alternate Names: Gegnisht, Shqyp Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Gheg
Armenian, Western hyw
Scattered. Users: 740 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 1,360 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Classification: Indo-European, Armenian
Aromanian rup
Constanta and Tulcea counties; Dobrudja region; major cities like Bucharest. Users: 50,000 in Romania (2018 N. Balamaci). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Alternate Names: Armani, Macedo Romanian Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Bulgarian bul
Arad and Timis counties: Banat region. Users: 6,520 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 7,340 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, Law No. 282, Ratification, European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Chinese zho
Users: 2,040 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,020 (2011 census). Status: Unestablished.
Crimean Tatar crh
Constanta county: Dobruja region. Users: 22,000 in Romania (2006 A. Goriainov). Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Alternate Names: Crimean Turkish, Qırım Türkçesi, Qirim, Qirimtatar Classification: Turkic, Southern
Croatian hrv
Caras-Severin and Timis counties: dispersed. Users: 5,170 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 5,410 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, Law No. 282, Ratification, European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Czech ces
Caras-Severin county: Bigar, Eibenthal, Gernic, Ravensca, and Sumita settlements; Mehedinti county. Users: 2,170 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,480 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Alternate Names: Cehă, Čeština, Český jazyk Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
English eng
Users: 6,243,900 in Romania, all users. L1 users: 3,900 in Romania (2021 Joshua Project). L2 users: 6,240,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Engleză Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra
Scattered. Users: 2,340,000 in Romania (Beck et al 2018), L2 users. Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Gagauz gag
Constanta and Tulcea counties. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Gagauz dili, Gagauzi, Gagauzça Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
German, Standard deu
Caras-Severin and Satu Mare counties: Transylvania area. Users: 618,600 in Romania, all users. L1 users: 26,600 in Romania (2011 census). L2 users: 592,000 (2018 Eurostat). Ethnic population: 36,000 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Statutory language of national identity (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). Alternate Names: Deutsch, Germană Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell
Bucharest, Constanta, Prahova, Tulcea, and other urban areas. Users: 2,560 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,670 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Alternate Names: Greacă Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Hungarian hun
Alba, Arad, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Brasov, Cluj, Covasna, Harghita, Maramures, Mures, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, and Timis counties. Users: 1,260,000 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 1,230,000 (2011 census). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Harghita and Covasna departments (outright majoities); also in Mures, Sate Mare, Bihor and Salay departments (over 20% total county population) (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). Alternate Names: Maghiar, Magyar Classification: Uralic
Hungarian Sign Language hsh
Scattered. Transylvania region, especially in counties where a high percentage of the population is Hungarian. Users: 1,200 in Romania (2021). Estimated 1,200 deaf signers, based on 0.1% of approximately 1,200,000 ethnic Hungarians in Romania (2011 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Italian ita
Timis county: historically in Transylvania region. Users: 1,412,950 in Romania, all users. L1 users: 2,950 in Romania (2011 census). L2 users: 1,410,000 (European Commission 2012). Ethnic population: 3,200 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Alternate Names: Italiană, Italiano Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Macedonian mkd
Users: 770 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 1,260 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Macedoneana Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Polish pol
Suceava county. Users: 2,080 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,540 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Romani, Balkan rmn
Scattered. Black Sea region. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Romani ćhib Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Balkan
Romani, Carpathian rmc
Cluj county; Mures county: Bahnea, Glodeni, and Targu Mures. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Romanes, Romungro Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern
Romani, Vlax rmy
Caras-Severin and Dolj counties: largest concentrations; scattered elsewhere south and southeast. Users: 246,000 in Romania (2011 census). 6,000,000 to 11,000,000 Roma worldwide (1987 I. Hancock). Ethnic population: 622,000 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 575,050. Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). Alternate Names: Danubian, Gypsy, Roma, Romanese, Tsigene, Vlax Romany Autonym: Romani Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron
Widespread. Users: 18,100,000 in Romania (2018). Total users in all countries: 24,076,420. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2003, Constitution, Article 13). Alternate Names: Daco-Rumanian, Moldavian, Roumanian, Rumanian Autonym: Limba română, româneşte‎ Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Romanian Sign Language rms
Scattered. Users: 24,600 in Romania (2021 EUD). About 0.12% of total population. Other estimates: at least 20,000 deaf signers (Eberle et al 2015); 93,500 (2014 IMB). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2006, Legea nr. 448/2006), in the context of general disability legislation. Recognized language (2020, Decret nr. 213/2020, 2020-03-27), as the mother-tongue of Romanian deaf, from a linguistic/cultural perspective. Alternate Names: LMGR, LSR, Limba semnelor române, Limbajul mimico-gestual romanesc, Limbajul semenelor romanesc Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Romany rom
Users: Population total all languages (L1 only): 1,614,450. Status:
Russian rus
Constanta, Suceava, and Tulcea counties. Users: 150,000 in Romania (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 18,900 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 23,500 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Serbian srp
Arad, Caras-Severin, Mehedinti, and Timis counties. Users: 16,800 in Romania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 18,000 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Alternate Names: Serbo-Croatian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Slovak slk
Arad, Bihor, Salaj, and Timis counties. Users: 12,800 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 13,700 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). Alternate Names: Slovenčina, Slovenský Jazyk Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Spanish spa
Users: 476,000 in Romania (2018), L2 users. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Tatar tat
Users: 17,700 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 20,300 (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Western, Uralian
Transylvanian Saxon ltz
Bistrita-Nasaud, Brasov, Hunedoara, Mures, and Sibiu counties: scattered. Users: 19,000 in Romania (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Limba săsească, Siweberjesch Såksesch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, West Middle German, Moselle Franconian
Turkish tur
Constanta and Tulcea counties: Dobruja region, southeast along the Danube. Users: 25,300 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 27,700 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Alternate Names: Osmanli, Türkçe Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Ukrainian ukr
Arad, Botosani, Caras-Severin, Maramures, Satu Mare, Suceava, and Timis counties; Tulcea county in southeast (Danube delta). Users: 48,900 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 50,900 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). Alternate Names: Ucrainean Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Yiddish, Eastern ydd
Bucharest county. Users: 640 in Romania (2011 census). Status: 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, Yiddish

Languages by Status

    Romanian
    [ron] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2003, Constitution, Article 13). 18,100,000 in Romania (2018). Total users in all countries: 24,076,420.
    Hungarian
    [hun] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Harghita and Covasna departments (outright majoities); also in Mures, Sate Mare, Bihor and Salay departments (over 20% total county population) (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). 1,260,000 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 1,230,000 (2011 census).
    English
    [eng] 4 (Educational). 6,243,900 in Romania, all users. L1 users: 3,900 in Romania (2021 Joshua Project). L2 users: 6,240,000 (European Commission 2012).
    French
    [fra] 4 (Educational). 2,340,000 in Romania (Beck et al 2018), L2 users.
    Albanian, Gheg
    [aln] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)).
    Aromanian
    [rup] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 50,000 in Romania (2018 N. Balamaci).
    Bulgarian
    [bul] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, Law No. 282, Ratification, European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages). 6,520 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 7,340 (2011 census).
    Croatian
    [hrv] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, Law No. 282, Ratification, European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages). 5,170 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 5,410 (2011 census).
    Czech
    [ces] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 2,170 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,480 (2011 census).
    German, Standard
    [deu] 5* (Dispersed). Statutory language of national identity (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). 618,600 in Romania, all users. L1 users: 26,600 in Romania (2011 census). L2 users: 592,000 (2018 Eurostat). Ethnic population: 36,000 (2011 census).
    Greek
    [ell] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 2,560 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 3,670 (2011 census).
    Italian
    [ita] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 1,412,950 in Romania, all users. L1 users: 2,950 in Romania (2011 census). L2 users: 1,410,000 (European Commission 2012). Ethnic population: 3,200 (2011 census).
    Macedonian
    [mkd] 5* (Dispersed). 770 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 1,260 (2011 census).
    Polish
    [pol] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 2,080 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,540 (2011 census).
    Russian
    [rus] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 150,000 in Romania (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 18,900 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 23,500 (2011 census).
    Serbian
    [srp] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 16,800 in Romania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 18,000 (2011 census).
    Slovak
    [slk] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). 12,800 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 13,700 (2011 census).
    Turkish
    [tur] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 25,300 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 27,700 (2011 census).
    Ukrainian
    [ukr] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). 48,900 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 50,900 (2011 census).
    Armenian, Western
    [hyw] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 740 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 1,360 (2011 census).
    Crimean Tatar
    [crh] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2007, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 22,000 in Romania (2006 A. Goriainov).
    Gagauz
    [gag] 5* (Developing).
    Hungarian Sign Language
    [hsh] 5 (Developing). 1,200 in Romania (2021). Estimated 1,200 deaf signers, based on 0.1% of approximately 1,200,000 ethnic Hungarians in Romania (2011 census).
    Romani, Carpathian
    [rmc] 5* (Developing).
    Romanian Sign Language
    [rms] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2006, Legea nr. 448/2006), in the context of general disability legislation. Recognized language (2020, Decret nr. 213/2020, 2020-03-27), as the mother-tongue of Romanian deaf, from a linguistic/cultural perspective. 24,600 in Romania (2021 EUD). About 0.12% of total population. Other estimates: at least 20,000 deaf signers (Eberle et al 2015); 93,500 (2014 IMB).
    Romani, Balkan
    [rmn] 6a* (Vigorous).
    Romani, Vlax
    [rmy] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others). 246,000 in Romania (2011 census). 6,000,000 to 11,000,000 Roma worldwide (1987 I. Hancock). Ethnic population: 622,000 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 575,050.
    Transylvanian Saxon
    [ltz] 7 (Shifting). 19,000 in Romania (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.
    Yiddish, Eastern
    [ydd] 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2005, National Minority Status Law, Article 3(2)). 640 in Romania (2011 census).
    Chinese
    [zho] Unestablished. 2,040 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,020 (2011 census).
    Spanish
    [spa] Unestablished. 476,000 in Romania (2018), L2 users.
    Tatar
    [tat] Unestablished. 17,700 in Romania (2011 census). Ethnic population: 20,300 (2011 census).

Maps

  • Moldova and Romania Index Map

  • Northern Moldova and Northeast Romania

  • Northwestern Romania

  • Romania Romani Language Extent

  • Southern Moldova and Southeastern Romania

  • Southwestern Romania

Graphs

  • Language Vitality Profile

  • Language Status Profile

Resources

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