Are you curious about the 4 official languages of Spain and how their histories shape the country’s culture and identity? Many people find it challenging to understand the variety of Spain’s official languages and their unique backgrounds.
You’re not alone. Understanding this can be confusing, but it’s important to appreciate what makes each language special.
As your guide, We will make this simple, using clear explanations to cover the four official languages of Spain:
- Castilian Spanish
- Catalan
- Galician
- Basque
We’ll look at where these languages are spoken and why they matter to their communities.
Keep reading to gain useful knowledge that will help you better connect with Spain’s rich cultural heritage.
4 Official Languages of Spain
1. The Castilian Spanish Language
Historical Background: Castilian Spanish is the main language of Spain. People call it Castellano to show it is different from other languages in the country. The name comes from the old Kingdom of Castile.
The language started during the Reconquista in the Middle Ages. As Castile grew, its language spread and was used for government and trade. Castilian gradually took over smaller local languages, such as Leonese and Aragonese. It also spread into some Basque-speaking areas.
In the 1900s, under Franco’s rule, regional languages were banned from schools and public life. Many people moved around Spain, bringing Castilian with them.
After Franco died, Spain became a democracy. In 1978, the new Constitution allowed regional languages again. Local areas have worked to revive their languages, especially in schools.
Where the Language is Spoken: Today, Castilian Spanish is spoken all over Spain. It is the only official language everywhere. Most people speak it as their first language.
In some regions like Catalonia and Galicia, Spanish is official alongside local languages like Catalan and Galician. Even in those places, most people speak Spanish because many moved there from other parts of Spain.
Spanish is also spoken outside Spain—in Latin America, the U.S., Andorra, and Gibraltar. Many Americans learn the Latin American form of Spanish, which is very close to Spain’s version.
Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world. It is easy to learn and use every day. Spain also respects its other languages as part of its culture.
2. The Catalan Language
Historical Background: Catalonia began in the Pyrenees Mountains. It grew and became important during the Valencian Golden Age in the 15th century. Today, it is the second most spoken language in Spain after Castilian.
The language has different forms, like Mallorquin on Mallorca island and Valenciano in Valencia. There has been some discussion about whether Valenciano is a separate language or a form of Catalan.
Where the Language is Spoken: About 4 million people speak Catalan as their first language. It is mainly spoken in Catalonia, Aragon, and the Balearic Islands in Spain. People also speak it in parts of Andorra, France, and Italy. If you know Spanish, Catalan is easy to understand because it sounds a bit like Spanish mixed with French.
Catalan is an official language in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia. In Aragon, it is recognized as part of the local culture. In most places, it is called Catalan, but in Valencia, people call it Valencian.
In Catalonia, there are two main types of Catalan. Central Catalan is spoken near Barcelona and Girona. North-eastern Catalan is spoken in Lleida and parts of Tarragona. Most people in Catalonia speak Spanish as their first language (55%). About 31.6% speak Catalan as their first language.
In the Balearic Islands, Catalan is a little different and uses special words. About 47.7% speak Spanish first, and 42.6% speak Catalan. Spanish is more common in cities like Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza. Catalan is more common in the countryside and on Menorca island.
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3. The Galician Language
Historical Background: Galician, also called Gallego, is very similar to Portuguese. In the past, they spoke one language called Galician-Portuguese. Over time, they became two languages but still share many features.
Galician has three main dialects: western, central, and eastern. It is part of the same language family as Spanish and Portuguese. Some people believe Galician and Portuguese should still be considered one language because of their similarities.
Where the Language is Spoken: Galician is mainly spoken in Galicia, a region in northern Spain. It is also spoken in parts of Asturias and Castilla y León. Around 3 million people speak Galician in Spain. Others speak it in Portugal and Latin America. Many Galician speakers can understand Portuguese, and Portuguese speakers can understand Galician too.
Galician is an official language in Galicia, alongside Spanish. It also has protection in some parts of Castilla y León where people speak it. In Galicia, about 41% of people say Galician is their first language.
About 31% say Spanish is their first language. Around 25% speak both languages as their first. In cities, Spanish is used more, while in rural areas, Galician is more common.
4. The Basque Language
Historical Background: Basque, also known as Euskara, is one of the oldest languages in Europe. It is not related to Spanish or any other language. That makes it very different and unique. Experts call it a “language isolate” because it doesn’t belong to any known language group.
Basque existed before Indo-European languages arrived in Europe. It has its grammar and way of speaking. Many Spanish speakers from other areas cannot understand Basque. There are six main Basque dialects, and one version is used as the standard form.
Where the Language is Spoken: Basque is spoken in the Basque Country and the north of Navarre. In these areas, both Basque and Spanish are official. Basque is taught in schools and used in signs, offices, and local news.
In the Basque Country, Basque is the official language in the whole region. But not all people speak it. In most of Alava and the west of Vizcaya, Spanish is more common. Different areas speak different types of Basque:
- Biscayan in Vizcaya and the west of Guipúzcoa
- Gipuzcoan in most of Guipúzcoa
- Basque-Navarrese in the east of Guipúzcoa
In 2011, a study showed that about one-third of people over 16 could speak Basque well. Another 17% could understand it but did not speak it often. About half of the people only spoke Spanish.
In Navarre, Basque is official only in the northeast. That area is called the Basque-speaking zone. Some nearby towns are part of a Mixed Zone, where Basque is also promoted. The rest of Navarre mostly speaks Spanish.
Today, around one million people in Spain can speak Basque. This is about 2% of the total population.
4 Official Languages of Spain: A Recap
The 4 Official Languages of Spain are Spanish, Catalan, Galician, and Basque. Each one is important to the people who speak it. Spanish is used across the country, while the other three are used mostly in certain regions.
These languages reflect local customs, history, and ways of life. They are taught in schools and used in daily life in their areas.
Together, these languages show how different parts of Spain keep their traditions while still being part of the same country. Language helps people stay connected to their community and culture.