The world has come to love the country of Spain for its flamenco dancing, paella, sangria, and the passionate Spanish language.
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages on earth, with more than 500 million total speakers. It’s also the official language of 20 countries, and it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, European Union, and the African Union. Spanish truly is a global language, and everyone knows that it’s Spain’s official language.
But did you know that Spanish isn’t the only language they speak in Spain?
Spain’s regions offer a vibrant mix of different cultural traditions and regional languages. If you’re not sure what they speak aside from Spanish (which is called Castellano in Spanish), keep reading to learn more about Spain’s fascinating collection of languages!
Spain’s Official Language
Spain’s official language is Castilian. This is what non-Spanish speakers know as Spanish, but in Spain, it’s known as Castilian. But even though Castilian is Spain’s official language, the country is home to 9 other languages that each have their own history and appeal. Catalan (Valencian), Galician, Euskara, and Aranese are among the most widely spoken.
Catalan
Catalan is the most widely spoken regional language in Spain. It’s spoken in Catalan, Valencia, Aragón, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands. Catalan is the native language of more than 11million speakers that live across four countries, making it the most widely spoken regional language in the European Union. Catalan is Andorra’s official language, and many people in Italy’s smaller regions also speak it as their native language. It’s also spoken in France! If you’re not familiar with the differences between the two, Catalan can sound very similar to Spanish. Still, Catalonians don’t like having their language confused with Spanish and prefer having their language recognized unto itself.
Galician
Just like Spanish and Catalan, Galician belongs to the Romance family of languages and has its roots firmly planted in Latin. It’s estimated that around 3 million people speak Galician, and it has very close ties to Portuguese.
Basque
Basque (also known as Euskara) is an isolated language, and current research suggests that it isn’t tied to any other living language. This language is unique to Europe and is spoken by just about 700,000 people in the Basque region of Spain. Many that speak Basque state that their native language is Spanish and Basque.
Aranese
Aranese has been used alongside Spanish in schools since 1984, and since it became a co-official language of Spain, there has been a considerable uptick in the interest in this language. However, when compared to Castilian (Spanish), there are relatively few speakers of this language. In fact, a mere 7,000 people can understand Aranese today. It’s the language of Val d’Aran, a small area in Catalonia on the border between France and Spain.
The Importance of Spanish Translation
The demand for professional Spanish translation is higher than it has ever been, and thanks to globalization, there is no indication of the demand dropping any time soon.
Day Translations specializes in Spanish translations, and we cater to every regional dialect and co-official language. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our range of comprehensive language services that can help you overcome the language barrier!