Nestled in the Pyrenees Mountain Range between France and Spain, Andorra is a small yet vibrant principality which is known around the world for a number of reasons. There are the epic Andorra ski resorts, the picturesque landscapes, the pristine lakes, the delicious food and the rich culture of what is such a unique principality.
Given its location right on the border of France and Spain and given its busy history, the microstate is a site with incredible linguistic diversity. The Andorra official language is Catalan, yet many other European languages are also spoken in this part of the world and you may hear three or four different languages by the time you walk from one end of an Andorran street to the other.
In this blog post, we’ll tackle the question of what language do they speak in Andorra and go through each of the most commonly spoken Andorra languages one by one.
What languages are spoken in Andorra?
So, you want to know what language is spoken in Andorra? Well, the answer is many languages! The Andorra official language is Catalan, and an interesting fact is that Andorra is the only nation on earth with Catalan as its sole official language. Even though Catalan is also one of Spain’s six official languages, as well as being used in parts of France and Italy, it’s only in Andorra where Catalan is the one and only official language of an entire country.
That said, several other languages are spoken too. A 2022 study looked into the question of what language does Andorra speak in real-life settings and it found that the most common languages spoken outside of the home and in the streets of Andorra are, in this order: Catalan (64%), Castilian Spanish (49%), Portuguese (7%), French (6%) and other (5%), with those surveyed allowed to put down more than one answer.
Curiously, this same study found that the gap between use of Catalan and of Castilian Spanish was significant smaller when residents where asked which Andorra language they’re most likely to use inside the home. These results are: Catalan (44%), Castilian Spanish (40%), Portuguese (14%), French (10%) and other (10%), with those surveyed again able to put down more than one answer.
Catalan language in Andorra
Let’s go through the different languages spoke in the principality and let’s begin with the Andorra official language, which is Catalan. You might be wondering why is Catalan the Andorra official language, and the reason for this is a historical one, as Catalan has long been spoken in this part of the world, with Andorra sharing a border with the region of Catalonia. Furthermore, the Andorran government has invested a lot of money in ensuring future generations have the chance to learn Catalan, so it seems this language is set to stay and remain the Andorra official language for many years to come.
Spanish language in Andorra
When we refer to Spanish as being one of the most common languages of Andorra, we’re talking about Castilian Spanish, the kind spoken across most of the nation of Spain. With Andorra sharing a border with Spain and being located at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, it’s logical for this to be another common Andorra language. There are many Spanish immigrants living in the microstate and, even though it doesn’t hold official status, Castilian Spanish is frequently used in daily interactions in Andorra, such as in shops and other leisure settings.
Portuguese language in Andorra
Although France also shares a border with Andorra, it’s actually Portuguese which is recorded as the third-most common language of the microstate. Why is Portuguese so commonly spoken in Andorra? Well, there is a large Portuguese community in the country, with approximately 11% of the population identifying as Portuguese. Since it shares many linguistic similarities to Catalan and Castilian Spanish, this language has quite seamlessly found a place in the tapestry of Andorran languages and is another one you’ll surely hear during a holiday in Andorra.
French language in Andorra
French does still have a place in Andorra, even if it is only the fourth-most commonly used language by residents. While not widely spoken as a first language, French is used in a few specific contexts, especially in tourism and diplomacy. The historical ties between Andorra and France have resulted in a cultural exchange that includes French cuisine, fashion and education, and many Andorrans study French in school, recognising its importance in the region and enhancing their ability to communicate with visitors from France.
Other languages in Andorra
As for the other languages used in Andorra, there are several which are spoken by immigrants whose mother tongue hasn’t been mentioned thus far. Furthermore, the use of English in Andorra is high. Especially in recent years, English has become very prevalent in Andorra, a common language which can be used by tourists and locals alike to facilitate communication in this country that has seen its tourism industry go from strength to strength. Most Andorra restaurants, bars, hotels, ski resorts and other leisure facilities have English-speaking members of staff on hand, even if they’re speaking it as a second language.
So, these are the most commonly used languages in Andorra. And, now you know that a better question than “What language is spoken in Andorra?” would be “What languages are spoken in Andorra?”. Because, while Catalan remains the cornerstone of Andorran identity, the languages of Castilian Spanish, Portuguese, French and even English all contribute to the principality’s rich linguistic mosaic.