Aragonese

Aragonese

Pronunciation
Native to
Region	Aragon
Ethnicity
Speakers	10,000–30,000
Language family	Indo-European
Early forms
Writing system
Official status
Regulated by

Aragonese (aragonés) is a Romance language spoken in the Aragon region of Spain. It is one of the Iberian Romance languages, which also include Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese.

History

The Aragonese language has its roots in the Vulgar Latin spoken in the Iberian Peninsula after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It developed in the Kingdom of Aragon during the Middle Ages, where it was used in official documents and literature. The language reached its peak during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Geographic Distribution

Aragonese is primarily spoken in the Pyrenees valleys of Aragon, including the Valle de Hecho, Valle de Ansó, and Valle de Tena. It is also spoken in some areas of the Huesca province and in parts of the Zaragoza province.

Linguistic Features

Aragonese shares many features with other Iberian Romance languages but also has unique characteristics:

Phonology

• The presence of the voiceless postalveolar fricative /ʃ/ (similar to the English "sh" sound).
• The use of the voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/ (similar to the "s" in "measure").
• The preservation of the Latin initial "f-" as in "facer" (to do), unlike Spanish which often changes it to "h-".

Morphology

• Nouns have two genders: masculine and feminine.
• There are two numbers: singular and plural.
• Verbs are conjugated in several tenses and moods, including indicative, subjunctive, and imperative.

Syntax

• The typical word order is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO), similar to other Romance languages.
• Use of clitic pronouns, which are attached to verbs.

Current Status

Aragonese is considered a minority language and is classified as "definitely endangered" by UNESCO. Efforts are being made to revitalize the language through education and cultural initiatives. It is taught in some schools in Aragon and there are media outlets that broadcast in Aragonese.

Cultural Significance

Aragonese has a rich cultural heritage, with a body of literature that includes poetry, prose, and historical documents. The language is an important part of the identity of the Aragonese people and is celebrated in festivals and cultural events.

See Also

• Romance languages
• Iberian Peninsula
• Kingdom of Aragon

External Links

• [Aragonese Language Resources]
• [Aragonese Cultural Association]