Maltese Learning Community and Resources

No, in this article we’re not going to talk about millionaires, or even half-millionaires. It’s about language.  

While the Maltese language might seem like it would have a small number of speakers, it actually has just over 500,000 speakers worldwide.    

Sure, that’s still not a lot and obviously most of them are in Malta itself. But did you know Maltese is also spoken in places such as far-flung as Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US by the Maltese diaspora? After all, language is not only a tool for communication but also a cultural and social symbol that shapes our identity and worldview.     

In this article, we will explore some of the other languages within Europe, and beyond, that have about half a million speakers, their features, and the challenges they face in preserving their existence.   

While there are over 7,000 languages spoken around the world, many of them are endangered, and some are on the brink of extinction.  

 It is worth noting that in linguistic terms, languages that have fewer than 1,000 speakers are considered endangered, and those with fewer than 100 speakers are critically endangered. Therefore, a language with half a million speakers, although vulnerable to the forces of globalisation and modernisation, is still healthy enough to not be considered endangered.   

Photo: Canva

Luxembourgish

Luxembourgish is the official language of Luxembourg. The language has just over 500,000 speakers, and it is one of the three official languages of the country.  

It is a West Germanic language that is closely related to German and Dutch, with influences from French. It has a spelling system that includes several letters with diacritics, such as é, è, ê, ë, and ï.    

Luxembourgish is spoken by the majority of the population in Luxembourg, and it is also used in everyday life, such as in business, education, and media. However, the language faces some challenges, such as the influence of neighboring languages, the large number of expats, and the lack of standardized written materials, although this situation has greatly improved over the last twenty years. 

Welsh   

Welsh is a Celtic language spoken in Wales, a country in the United Kingdom. It has around 700,000 speakers, with the majority of them living in Wales. Welsh is one of the oldest languages in Europe, with a history that dates back to the 6th century.  

It is an official language in Wales, and it is used in government, education, and media. However, the language faces challenges, such as the influence of English and the lack of standardized written materials.  

Irish    

Irish is a Celtic language spoken in Ireland. Estimates vary widely as to how many speakers this language has, with some claiming 400,000 and others claiming more than 2 million speakers. Irish has a rich literary tradition, with works dating back to the 6th century.  

Irish is recognized as an official language in Ireland, and it is used in government, alongside English. Although there traditionally was some pushback from students (it is a compulsory subject at school), nowadays there is more of an embrace of Ireland’s native language.  

Icelandic   

Icelandic is a North Germanic language that is spoken in Iceland. It has about 360,000 speakers worldwide, with the majority living in Iceland. Icelandic is a unique language that has changed very little over the centuries, making it one of the most well-preserved medieval languages in the world.  

Despite its uniqueness and cultural significance, Icelandic is under threat due to the dominance of English in Iceland. English is the language of international commerce and tourism, and some young Icelanders prefer to speak English over Icelandic. Efforts are being made to promote Icelandic in schools and public institutions, but the language still faces challenges in gaining ground, in parts.    

Navajo  

To finish off with an unusual one, away from Europe’s shores. Navajo is a Native American language spoken in the southwestern United States. It has between 150,000 speakers and 500,000 speakers. Navajo is an Athabaskan language that is closely related to Apache. It has a complex grammar system, with a unique system of tone and stress.    

Navajo is recognized as an official language in the Navajo Nation, a Native American territory that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The language is used in government, education, and media, but it faces some obvious challenges, such as the prevalence of English and the lack of standardized written materials.