Leslie Massey
Bolivia is a country with a rich linguistic landscape. The 2012 census of Bolivia records 37 languages, with Spanish being the most widely spoken, at 70%-84% of the population. However, Bolivia also recognises 36 indigenous languages as official languages according to the 2009 Constitution, with Quechua and Aymara being the most prominent ones. German and Portuguese are also spoken by a small percentage of the population, particularly in communities near the Brazilian border.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 39 |
| Number of languages spoken | 39 |
| Language with the highest number of native speakers | Spanish |
| Number of indigenous languages | Several dozen |
| Number of immigrant languages | 2 (including Plautdietsch) |
| Percentage of population with an indigenous language as their mother tongue | 50% |
| Percentage of population with Spanish as their mother tongue | 40% |
| Number of Spanish dialects | 5 |
| Number of Quechua dialects | 2 |
| Number of native languages with more than a million speakers | 3 (Quechuan, Aymara, and Guarani) |
| Number of Bolivian speakers of Plautdietsch | 160,000 |
| Number of Bolivian speakers of Standard German | 160,000 |
What You'll Learn
Spanish is the official language of Bolivia
Spanish exists in five distinct dialects: Vallegrandino Spanish, Valluno Spanish, Chapaco Spanish, Camba Spanish, and Andean Spanish. These dialects are primarily defined geographically. For example, Andean Spanish is used by Bolivians in the Andes region, while Camba Spanish is spoken primarily in the Beni, Santa Cruz and Pando regions.
The Bolivian government and departmental governments are required to use at least two languages in their operation, one being Spanish, and the other being selected according to the circumstances and needs of the territory in question.
The other official languages of Bolivia are indigenous languages, including Quechua, Aymara, Chiquitano, and Guaraní. There are also several other immigrant languages spoken in Bolivia, including Plautdietsch, a German dialect, and Portuguese, which is spoken near the Brazilian border.
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Bolivia has 39 official languages
Bolivia is a multilingual country with 39 official languages, making it one of the countries with the highest number of official languages in the world. The official languages include Spanish and 36 indigenous languages, some of which are extinct. While Spanish is the dominant language, Bolivia also recognises several dozen indigenous languages, the most prominent being Aymara, Quechua, Chiquitano, and Guaraní.
Spanish
Spanish is the language with the highest number of native speakers in Bolivia and is the dominant language in the country. The Spanish dialect spoken in Bolivia is Castilian, which exists in five distinct dialects: Vallegrandino Spanish, Valluno Spanish, Chapaco Spanish, Camba Spanish, and Andean Spanish. These dialects are primarily defined geographically. For example, the Andean Spanish dialect is used by Bolivians in the Andes region, while Camba Spanish is spoken primarily in the regions of Beni, Santa Cruz, and Pando. Castilian Spanish is also referred to as Bolivian Spanish and is one of the official languages of Bolivia.
Aymara
Aymara is an official language in Bolivia, with about 2.8 million native speakers in the Andes region and approximately 2 million more Aymara speakers in the country. Aymara is one of the few Native American languages with native speakers numbering over a million. It is named after the ancient inhabitants of the Apurimac region and is one of the oldest Latin American pre-Colombian languages. The Bolivian government has implemented measures such as intercultural bilingual programs to encourage the use of Aymara, which has been on a decline in recent years.
Quechua
Quechua is also an official language in Bolivia and is predominantly spoken by the Quechua ethnic group. With over 2 million speakers in Bolivia and approximately 10 million speakers worldwide, it is the most widely spoken native language in South America. Quechua was the primary language during the Inca Empire but was banned in the 18th century by Spanish colonialists. Today, it is divided into two geographically-defined dialects: Quechua I and Quechua II. Like many other indigenous languages in Bolivia, Quechua is experiencing a decline in native speakers due to a lack of Quechua-based literature.
Chiquitano
Chiquitano is another indigenous language spoken in Bolivia, also known as Bésiro. It is primarily spoken in the central part of the Santa Cruz department.
Guaraní
Guaraní is an official language spoken in the southeast of Bolivia, on the border with Paraguay and Argentina. It is the third most widespread native language in Bolivia and is native to South America. Guaraní is also an official language in Paraguay and is spoken in some areas of Brazil and Argentina. It has approximately 5 million native speakers worldwide and is considered one of the most elegant languages globally by linguists.
Other Indigenous Languages
In addition to the languages mentioned above, Bolivia recognises several other indigenous languages as official, including Araona, Baure, Canichana (extinct), Cavineño, Cayubaba (extinct), Chácobo, Chimán, Ese Ejja, Guarasu'we (extinct), Guarayu, Itonama, Leco, Machineri, Maropa, Mojeño-Ignaciano, Mojeño-Trinitario, Moré, Mosetén, Movima, Pacawara, Puquina (extinct), Sirionó, Tacana, Tapieté, Toromona, Weenhayek, Yaminawa, Yuki, Yuracaré, and Zamuco.
Immigrant Languages
While the majority of languages in Bolivia are indigenous, there are also some immigrant languages spoken, most notably Standard German and Plautdietsch, a German dialect spoken by approximately 160,000 Mennonites in the Santa Cruz region.
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Quechua is an official language
Bolivia is a country with a rich linguistic heritage, boasting one of the highest numbers of official languages in the world. The country's constitution recognises 36 indigenous languages as official, alongside Spanish, which is the dominant language spoken by the majority of the population.
Among these indigenous languages, Quechua stands out as an official language with a significant number of speakers. Predominantly spoken by the Quechua ethnic group, it is the most widely spoken native language in South America, with approximately 10 million speakers across the continent. In Bolivia alone, it is estimated that there are over 2.1 million native Quechua speakers, making it the second most common native language in the country, after Spanish.
The history of Quechua is closely tied to the ancient Inca Empire, where it served as the primary language. However, during the 18th century, Spanish colonialists banned its use, favouring the adoption of the Spanish language. Despite this historical disruption, Quechua has persevered and continues to be a vital means of communication for many Bolivians.
Quechua is divided into two main dialects: Quechua I and Quechua II. Quechua II is the dialect with the most speakers in Bolivia. The distribution of these dialects is largely geographical, with each region adopting a specific variation.
The Bolivian government has recognised the importance of preserving indigenous languages like Quechua. Initiatives such as intercultural bilingual programs and the establishment of centres dedicated to teaching indigenous tongues have been implemented to encourage their use and slow the decline in native speakers.
Quechua's influence extends beyond its current speakers, as it has also left its mark on other languages. For example, the similarities between Quechua and Aymara, another prominent indigenous language in Bolivia, suggest a historical connection between the two.
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Aymara is an official language
Bolivia is a multilingual country with one of the highest numbers of official languages in the world. The 2009 Constitution of Bolivia recognizes 36 indigenous languages as official languages, alongside Spanish. This was done to protect and preserve these languages, which are the mother tongue of about 50% of the population.
Aymara is believed to be a language group from which other languages are derived. It shares many similarities with Quechua, another indigenous language spoken in Bolivia. Linguists believe the two languages are related, though this has not been proven. The similarities are likely due to the close contact between the two languages and their speakers, as well as the influence of Spanish, the dominant language in Bolivia.
Aymara has been in decline in recent years, with a decreasing number of native speakers. To combat this, the Bolivian government has implemented remedies such as intercultural bilingual programs to encourage the use of Aymara.
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Guaraní is an official language
Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America with a rich history of indigenous cultures and languages. The country's official languages include Spanish and 36 indigenous languages, according to the 2009 Constitution. This makes Bolivia one of the countries with the highest number of official languages in the world.
Among the indigenous languages recognised by the Bolivian Constitution, Guaraní is listed as an official language. It is the native language of the Guaraní people, an ethnic group from the Chaco and Amazonian regions. In Bolivia, Guaraní is spoken in the department of Santa Cruz, which is located in the southeast of the country, bordering Paraguay and Argentina.
Guaraní is considered one of the most elegant languages globally by some linguists. It has approximately five million native speakers worldwide, including 33,000 in Bolivia. While this number may seem small, it is important to note that Bolivia has taken steps to protect and preserve its indigenous languages, including Guaraní.
The Bolivian government has implemented measures to encourage the use of indigenous languages, such as intercultural bilingual programs. Additionally, during President Evo Morales's tenure, the education ministry opened various centres where indigenous tongues, including Guaraní, were taught. These efforts have helped keep Guaraní and other indigenous languages alive in the country.
Guaraní is also an official language in neighbouring Paraguay, where it is the first language of most of the population. It is also spoken in some areas of Brazil and Argentina, further emphasising its importance in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
The official languages of Bolivia are Spanish and 36 indigenous languages, according to the country's constitution. The main indigenous languages are Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní.
Bolivia has 39 official languages, including Spanish and 38 indigenous languages.
Spanish is the dominant language in Bolivia and is spoken by 84% of the population.
The main indigenous languages spoken in Bolivia are Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní.
Very little English is spoken outside of hotels and tourist destinations in Bolivia. However, some businesspeople in commercial centers and a number of officials will be able to speak some English.
