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Multilingual Spain: Beyond Just Spanish
Did you know that Spain is home to several official languages besides Spanish? Discover the cultural significance of Catalan, Basque, Galician, and Aranese—and why learning them can enrich your experience if you're planning to live or travel in Spain. At Glossart Languages, we help you connect with the true linguistic diversity of the country.
Evangelia Perifanou
3/12/20222 min read
🇪🇸 Did You Know Spain Is a Multilingual Country?
By Glossart Languages | Language & Culture Insights
When people think of Spain, they usually think of Spanish—castellano—as the one and only language. But did you know that Spain officially recognizes four additional languages across its autonomous regions?
From Catalan in Barcelona to Euskera in the Basque Country, Spain’s linguistic diversity is as rich and fascinating as its culture. If you're planning to travel, study, or live in Spain, this blog will give you a deeper look at the languages beyond Spanish that shape daily life in different parts of the country.
🗣️ Catalan: More Than a Language—A Cultural Identity
In Catalonia, Catalan is more than just a regional language—it's a symbol of identity and resilience. After years of being banned during the Franco dictatorship, the language has regained its place in schools, universities, public signage, and everyday life.
✅ Learning Catalan is essential if you want to feel integrated and respected as part of the local culture in Barcelona or Girona.
📍Catalan is also spoken in Valencia, the Balearic Islands, parts of southern France, Andorra, and even Alghero in Sardinia, Italy!
✨ Did you know? Catalan has strong influences from French, Occitan, and Arabic.
🌄 Euskera: The Mystery Language of the Basque Country
Euskera is one of the oldest languages in Europe—and still one of the most mysterious. Linguists haven’t been able to trace its origins to any known language family.
🌍 It existed before the Roman conquest and has preserved its unique grammar and vocabulary to this day. Because of its complexity and distinctiveness, Basque was even used as a code language in WWII.
🎓 Learning Euskera is a challenge, but it opens doors to a truly unique cultural experience in Bilbao, San Sebastián, and the Basque countryside.
🎵 Galician: The Language of Poets
Spoken by around 3 million people in Galicia (northwest Spain), Galician (gallego) is the closest linguistic cousin of modern Portuguese.
It has a deep literary tradition and is known as the language of poetry. If you love music, art, and literature, learning Galician offers access to a rich and emotional cultural world.
🏔️ Aranese: A Tiny Language with a Big Heart
Only about 3,000 people speak Aranese, a variety of Occitan, in the Val d’Aran near the French border. Despite its size, it holds official status and is taught in local schools.
💙 Aranese speakers are deeply proud of their heritage and actively work to preserve their linguistic roots.
🌍 More Than Just Spanish
Alongside these four official co-languages, Spain is home to many dialects and regional variations that reflect the country’s incredible cultural diversity.
At Glossart Languages, we believe that learning any of these languages gives you a more authentic, respectful, and immersive experience—whether you're traveling, living, or just exploring Spain from afar.
📌 Final Thoughts
Spain isn’t just a place to learn “Spanish”—it’s a multilingual nation with stories to tell in Catalan, Basque, Galician, and Aranese. By learning a local language, you’re not only gaining a new skill—you’re building bridges, honoring identity, and discovering a new way to connect with the world.
Ready to dive into Spanish, Catalan, or beyond?
📚 Book a class with Glossart Languages and explore Spain’s true linguistic richness—one word at a time.
