aragonese

Aragonese is a Romance language native to Aragon, a historic region in northeastern Spain. The term also designates the people of Aragon. Linguists classify Aragonese within the Ibero-Romance group of Western Romance languages, and it is closely related to Catalan and Occitan. It has multiple regional varieties spoken in the mountains and valleys of Aragon, with differences in phonology and vocabulary.

The language evolved from Vulgar Latin during the medieval period and flourished in the Crown of Aragon. Over the centuries, Castilian Spanish spread across the region, leading to language shift and a decline in use. Today Aragonese is spoken by a minority, mainly in rural communities and among older generations; in many areas it exists alongside Spanish.

Writing and literature: Aragonese uses a Latin alphabet. It has a long historical literary tradition, and contemporary authors produce poetry, fiction, and linguistic works. Orthographic standards have been developed by local associations, and there are dictionaries and learning resources.

Revival and status: In recent decades, local organizations, schools, media, and cultural initiatives promote Aragonese, including bilingual signage and cultural festivals. The language is protected under regional cultural policies, and revival efforts aim to increase transmission to younger speakers.

The term Aragonese also covers people from Aragon, who include communities in Zaragoza, Huesca, and Teruel, with a diverse cultural heritage.