What Languages Are Spoken In Aruba?
When considering potential vacation destinations, Aruba is often a top choice for its beautiful beaches, tropical climate, and vibrant culture. It’s safe to say that the Caribbean island, Aruba has a lot to offer tourists! Along with these attractions, Aruba has its own unique language, Aruban Creole, which is spoken by almost all of the inhabitants on the island. Still, those who are planning to vacation in Aruba may be curious about what other languages are spoken there.
In this article, let’s explore the different languages spoken in Aruba, including Aruban Creole, Papiamento, Spanish, Dutch and English on the island.
What Is the Most Spoken Language in Aruba?
Before we dive deeper into what languages are spoken in Aruba, it’s important to understand which language is most commonly spoken among the local inhabitants. Unsurprisingly, Aruban Creole is the most spoken language in Aruba. This language is a creole, which is a new language that is formed from two other languages, in this case being African and Dutch, and it’s the first language of most individuals native to the Aruba.
A Brief History of the Aruban Language
It’s interesting to note how Aruban Creole came to be. The origin of Aruban Creole, which was born in Aruba, stems from a blend of three languages and cultures that were merged with African origins. Aruban Creole, or Papiamento, was then introduced and spoken mainly by the African slaves that were brought to Aruba by the conquerors, which began in the 15th century.
It wasn’t until the 19th century when the language was formally accepted and spoken by the ruling class in Aruba- making it an official language that spread and is still spoken today. Despite being used by the people of Aruba, it was not recognised as an official language until a recent nationalism movement in Aruba helped it reach that status.
What Other Languages Are Spoken Besides Aruban Creole?
Although Aruban Creole is the main language spoken in Aruba, it isn’t the only one. Aside from Aruban Creole, Dutch, Spanish, and English are also languages used in Aruba. Here is a closer look at each language and how it is used in the Caribbean country.
Dutch
Dutch is the official language of Aruba, and it is used for various things such as official texts, laws, and documents. Every citizen must speak Dutch before graduating from primary school and is generally the preferred language for communication with the government.
Most Belgians, Dutch and Dutch Antillean (Afro-Caribbean) immigrants speak Dutch as their first language. Even though there’s a large portion of the population in Aruba which speaks Dutch, only roughly 5-6% can communicate fluently in Dutch.
Spanish
Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world, and it’s also used in Aruba. As of 2019, about 10% of the population in Aruba spoke Spanish as their first language, making it the second-most spoken language on the island. Spanish is also used in the educational system, especially in the primary and secondary schools, which is why the younger generations are starting to learn the language. However, the majority of people who live on Aruba understand basic Spanish.
English
English is becoming increasingly popular in Aruba, as evidenced by a survey conducted in 2019, which estimated that English accounted for 14-27% of the total population in Aruba. English is also an official language in Aruba and it is used in the media and many of the sport clubs. Many tourists who visit the islands use English as their main communication language but since many Arubans are relatively new to learning and speaking English – it’s not as well-known compared to other languages.
Other Languages
In addition to the four main languages mentioned above, there are also other languages spoken in Aruba, including Portuguese, French and German. These languages are generally used by the other Mini-States of the Netherlands in the Caribbean Sea, and are spoken by visitors or people from those regions who visit Aruba.
A Unique Blend of Cultures & Languages
The language situation in Aruba is quite unique, and it reflects the island’s diverse culture. Aruba is a melting pot for various languages and cultures which makes for an exciting and vibrant country. Whether you’re visiting Aruba or residing there, the languages spoken can give you more insight into the lives of the local people and the diverse culture.
Ultimately, there is no one main language that is spoken in Aruba, but a number of them. The four main languages spoken in Aruba are Aruban Creole, Dutch, Spanish, and English. Aruban Creole remains the most common language by far, being the first language spoken by most of the local inhabitants. Dutch is the official language of Aruba and is used for things such as official texts and documents, whereas Spanish and English are widely used among the younger generations and for the purpose of tourists and the media. In addition to these four languages, Portuguese, French, and German are all also commonly spoken in Aruba.
