What Language Do Argentinians Speak?

When we think of Argentina, we think of its world-class soccer and natural beauty.

However, the second-largest country in South America has one equally interesting thing: the diversity of its languages.

Argentinians speak a variety of other languages besides Spanish. What are these languages, and how unique are they?

Let's explore more!

What are the Official Languages of Argentina?

Argentina's main language is Spanish, but the constitution does not explicitly recognize it.

This is similar to how other Latin American countries adopted colonial languages as their main language without formally establishing Spanish in law.

Although Spanish is the main language spoken, its pronunciation, vocabulary, and even grammar are unique to Spain and other Latin American countries.

The use of Spanish in Argentina dates back to the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century, especially after Juan Díaz de Solís' expedition in 1516.

During the colonial period, Spanish became dominant, displacing many of the indigenous languages previously spoken by the indigenous population.

The Argentinians today speak a unique variant of Spanish, known as Rioplatense Spanish. This is due to the influence of the indigenous languages still spoken.

In addition to Spanish, the Argentine government also recognizes several indigenous languages in certain communities, especially in the northern and southern regions.

Even so, no indigenous language has an official status equal to Spanish in the national government and education system.

How Many Languages are Spoken in Argentina?

Based on data from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INDEC), over 25 languages are still spoken in Argentina, both by natives and immigrants.

Some of the main languages spoken in Argentina besides Spanish are:

• Indigenous languages: Mapuche, Quechua, Guaraní, and Which are still spoken in small communities.
• Immigrant Languages: Italian, German, and Arabic are widely spoken by descendants of immigrants who arrived in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• English & Portuguese: Used in business and tourism, especially in urban areas like Buenos Aires.

Argentina experienced a massive wave of migration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly from Italy, Germany, and the Middle East.

As a result, much of the vocabulary and accent in Spanish in Argentina is influenced by Italian, which gives it a unique feel compared to Spanish in Europe or other Latin American countries.

Differences Between Spanish in Argentina and Spanish in Spain

Although Argentina and Spain use the same language, there are some notable differences when it comes to pronoun usage, pronunciation, and vocabulary:

1. Use of "Vos" vs "Tú"

In Spain, "tú" is used to refer to "you" informally. But in Argentina, "vos" is more commonly used than "tú" with different verb conjugations. 

Take a look at the following table!

2. Pronunciation of the Letters "LL" and "Y"

In Spanish, the "ll" in “Lluvia” is pronounced as "lyu-via". In Argentina, it is pronounced more like "zhu-via", similar to the "sh" sound in English.

Here are the examples.

3. Unique vocabulary in Argentina

"Plata" in Argentina is often used as slang for "money", whereas in Spain people more often say "Dinero".

"Jugo" (juice) is more common in Argentina and most of Latin America, whereas in Spain the word used is "Zumo".

Check out the table below!

This difference gives Spanish in Argentina a more distinctive, and sometimes confusing, character for Spanish speakers from Spain or other countries.

Also read: What Languages are Spoken in Mexico?

Is English Spoken in Argentina?

Although English isn’t the main language in Argentina, its use is growing—especially in business, education, and tourism.

Buenos Aires, the country’s capital, has a higher English proficiency rate than other regions since it serves as an international business hub.

Anyway, whether you want to improve your English for work, travel, or personal growth, choosing the right place to study is essential.

That’s where EZClass comes in! This online learning platform offers interactive courses with professional tutors to help you develop your English skills.

With flexible and accessible learning methods, EZClass makes it easy to learn English anytime, anywhere!

Also Read: What is AAVE?

Conclusion

Are you interested in learning more about Argentina? Would you like to travel to Argentina without a language barrier?

Improve your English skills with EZClass now! Also, check out the EZClass blog to discover more interesting articles.

And don't forget to share this article with your friends who are learning English!