Languages of Gibraltar

The sole official language of Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, is English. It is used by the Government and in schools. People in Gibraltar often have a special way of speaking English called Gibraltarian English.

Most locals can speak two languages. Besides English, many speak Spanish because Gibraltar is very close to Spain. The people there often use a special mix of languages called Llanito. This way of speaking comes mostly from Andalusian Spanish but includes many words from English and other languages spoken around the Mediterranean.

Because Gibraltar is home to people from many different backgrounds, other languages are spoken too. These include Moroccan Berber, Moroccan Arabic, and Hindi. All these languages make life on The Rock interesting and full of different cultures.

Llanito

Main article: Llanito

Llanito is the special way people in Gibraltar speak. It mixes words and sounds from Spanish and English, with a little bit of Maltese, Portuguese, and other languages too. Most of Llanito comes from Andalusian Spanish, but it also uses many English words and phrases. People in Gibraltar often switch between Spanish and English while talking, which makes Llanito unique. The word "Llanito" is another name for someone from Gibraltar.

Spanish

Gibraltar has had many rulers throughout its history, including the Spanish, Moorish, and British. Since 1713, it has been under British control. Before the British took over, many people in Gibraltar spoke Spanish. After that, fewer people spoke Spanish because many residents left.

Today, Spanish is still spoken by many people in Gibraltar because it is very close to Spain. Since 1985, it has been easier for people to travel between Gibraltar and Spain. Many people from Spain live in Gibraltar or travel there for work.

Berber language and Maghrebi Arabic

Because Gibraltar is very close to Morocco and Algeria, some people in the city speak the Berber language and Maghrebi Arabic. These languages are mainly spoken by people from Morocco and other parts of North Africa who live in Gibraltar.

In 2001, about 961 people from Morocco lived in Gibraltar.

Other languages

Some people in Gibraltar speak Hindi and Sindhi because of the Indian community living there. In the past, people in Catalan Bay spoke Genoese, but this language stopped being used by the early 1900s. A few people in the Jewish community also speak Hebrew.