Aragonese

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A language of Spain

ISO 639-3
arg
Alternate Names
Altoaragonés, Aragoieraz, Aragonés, Fabla Aragonesa, High Aragonese, Patués
Population

10,000 (Salminen 2007). Includes 500 older adult monolinguals (1993). Ethnic population: 2,000,000 (1994).

Location

Zaragoza, Uesca Province; Pyrenea (north border), Navarra (west border); north of Montsó (east). Western Aragonese dialect: Ansó, Echo, Chasa, Berdún, and Chaca towns; Central Aragonese dialect: Panticosa, Biescas, Torla, Broto, Bielsa, Yebra, and L’Ainsa; Eastern Aragonese in Benás (Benasque, Benasc, Patués), Plan, Bisagorri, Campo, Perarruga, Graus, and Estadilla; Southern Aragonese in Agüero, Ayerbe, Rasal, Bolea, Lierta, Uesca, Almudébar, Nozito, Labata, Alguezra, Angüés, Pertusa, Balbastro, and Nabal.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Pyrenean-Mozarabic, Pyrenean
Dialects

Central Aragonese (Belsetán, Bergotés, Pandicuto, Tensino), Eastern Aragonese (Benasqués, Chistabino, Fobano, Grausino, Ribagorzano), Southern Aragonese (Ayerbense, Semontanés), Western Aragonese (Ansotano, Cheso). Different from Spanish local variety (also called Aragonese influenced by High Aragonese). Eastern Aragonese transitional to Catalán [cat]. Similarities to Catalán and Occitan [oci].

Language Use

20,000 L2 speakers (1993 Counsel of the Aragonese Language). Few children learn the language (2007). Also use some Spanish [spa], depending on education level. Used with outsiders.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Nearly 100%. Magazines. New media. Grammar. Bible portions: 2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Aragonese
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Aragonese Speakers’ League (Ligallo de Fablans de l’Aragonés) in Zaragoza; Council of the Aragonese Language (Consello d’a Fabla Aragonesa) in Uesca. 6 organizations or more of L1 speakers working in the language. Written language based on Central and Eastern Aragonese. Christian.