Mirandese
PrintA language of Portugal
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Mirandês
Population
15,000 (2000). 10,000 use it regularly, 5,000 when they return to the area. 2,000 Sendinese in Sendim Vila.
Location
Bragança District, Miranda do Douro and Vimioso municipalities, Miranda city; Spain border.
Language Maps
Language Status
2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in 4 municipalities, northeast Portugal (1999, Law No. 7/99 of 29 January).
Classification
Dialects
Mirandés Meridional (Mirandés Sendinês, Sendinês), Mirandés Setentrional (Mirandés Raiano), Mirandese Central (Miranadese Normal). Related to Asturian (Leonese) [ast]. Possibly separated when Moors invaded.
Language Use
Officially recognized since 1999, has gained some presence in education, media and public life since then (2007). Children 6 to 16 required to study it in school; voluntary for ages 16 to 19.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script.
Have different dress style from their neighbors (black, handwoven cloth).