Following our ‘half-a-million’ club article, these are two articles delving into other minor languages around Europe.
Whether you're a budding linguist or just someone who's curious about the rich tapestry of languages that Europe has to offer, you're in for a treat. If you’re in Malta, or planning to move here, you’re hearing the EU’s smallest language by speakers being spoken around you, but here’s a few others focusing specifically on small ones.
Let’s embark on an adventure to discover some of Europe's minor languages that often don't get the spotlight they deserve. Who knows, you might even be inspired to learn a few new words in one or more of them!
Source: Canva
The Languages of Europe
Europe is a linguistic treasure trove. It's a continent where dozens of languages coexist, each with its own unique charm and history. While some of these languages are widely spoken and recognized globally, such as English, French, Spanish, and German, there are plenty of others that fly under the radar. These lesser-known languages are often referred to as "minor languages". Maltese straddles the border between the two languages, and – as far as minor languages goes – is quite important as it is an EU official language, and the first language (spoken as such by more than 92% of Maltese people as a first language) of the Maltese, not to mention being the sole national language of Malta (Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English, but only one national language, Maltese).
Without further ado, let's dive into the enchanting world of these minor languages:
Faroese
First up, the Faroe Islands, a tiny archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. Faroese is language that's as rugged and beautiful as the landscapes it calls home. It is a North Germanic language, and like Icelandic with which it shares some similarities, it descends from Old West Norse.
The rolling hills and fjords of the Faroe Islands are the background of this ancient tongue, with its 75,000 speakers. It obviously doesn’t have the global reach of English, Faroese holds a special place in the hearts of its speakers, preserving the cultural identity of the Faroese people. Interestingly, the Irish language had an impact on developing the language.
Breton
Next up is Brittany, a region in the northwest of France. There, you'll stumble upon Breton, a Celtic language with a rich history and a passionate community of speakers. Breton sounds like a distant cousin of Welsh and Cornish, but it has a flavor all its own. Parts of the language are, in fact, mutually intelligible with Welsh. Learning Breton is like unearthing ancient Celtic culture full of fascinating myths and a unique heritage. It is hugely important to the identity of the people of Brittany (something you’ll notice from the many Breton flags and stickers everywhere in the Region) and is increasing in popularity. As far as small languages go, it is doing quite well with over 200,000 speakers.
Ladin
Our linguistic journey now takes us to the heart of the Italian Alps, where Ladin is spoken. This Romance language is nestled among the breathtaking Dolomite mountains in northern Italy. With its melodic sound and distinctive vocabulary, you can engage with the friendly locals and discover the enchanting world of the Dolomites. There is some overlap with the Friulian language.
Karelian
From the northern tip of Italy, we hop over to the eastern reaches of Europe and find ourselves in the Karelian forests of Russia. Karelian, a Finno-Ugric language, is the tongue of this vast wilderness. The language it is closest to is Finnish and has about 20,000 speakers between Russia and Finland.
Romansh
If you’ve been to Switzerland you might have noticed there are four languages on their banknotes. You recognized French, German and Italian… but what is the fourth one? It is Romansh, a Romance language with a twist. Romansh has several dialects, each linked to a specific region in the canton of Graubünden, and in some cases beyond. The most common dialects, are Sursilvan, Vallader, and Sutsilvan. It is protected by law, and – as we mentioned – one of the official languages of Switzerland. The closest ‘relatives’ of Romansh are Lombard, Occitan and French.
Sorbian
Our next stop is in the eastern part of Germany, where the Sorbian languages flourish. Sorbian consists of two main dialects, Upper Sorbian and Lower Sorbian, both of which are descendants of ancient Slavic tongues. There are around 20,000 speakers. Sorbian is a linguistic treasure that adds a touch of Slavic magic to the German landscape. Historically, the related languages are also been known as Wendish (named after the Wends, the original Slavic people who migrated to modern Poland and Germany).
Sami
We venture north to the Arctic tundra, where the indigenous Sami people have maintained their unique language, Sami. These languages are spoken across northern Scandinavia and Russia, and each dialect is tied to a specific region. Sami is more than just a language; it's an integral part of the Sami identity and culture. As you explore the northern wilderness, you'll encounter a language that sings with the rhythm of the land and the pulse of the Arctic.
Manx
Nestled in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland, the Isle of Man is home to Manx Gaelic, or simply Manx. This Celtic language had almost become extinct (some argue that it was fully exitinct!), but a dedicated community of speakers and language enthusiasts has been working tirelessly to revive it.
Aromanian
Heading southeast to the Balkans, we find Aromanian, a Romance language with influences from Greek, Albanian, and other regional languages. Aromanian is a testament to the complex linguistic tapestry of the Balkan Peninsula. As a language it sounds a bit like (and is somewhat related to) Romanian. It has around 210,000 speakers. With its roots in Latin, Aromanian carries the echoes of ancient Rome through the Balkans.
Kurt, OLS Community Manager – Maltese