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WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN IN ANDALUSIA?

During your visit in Andalusia, you may have noticed that the Andalusia language sounds very different from the standard Spanish taught in schools.

So, if you’re planning to visit or move to Andalusia, you might wonder: What language is spoken in Andalusia?

The answer is simple: Spanish—just with a different accent.

Here’s what makes Andalusian speech stand out:👇

1. Spanish is the Official Language ❤️​💛

Like the rest of Spain, the official language of Andalusia is Spanish (Castilian Spanish).

This means that if you speak standard Spanish, you’ll be understood by Andalusians, especially when it comes to grammar.

However, Andalusia has developed a variety of Spanish that is quite different from what you might hear in Madrid or other parts of Spain.

2. The Andalusia Language: A Spanish Dialect 🏡

Andalusians speak a regional variety of Spanish known as Andalusian Spanish (español andaluz). It is not a separate language but a dialect with its own particular pronunciation, vocabulary and even some grammar.

Andalusia Language Pronunciation 🗣️

One of the most noticeable characteristics of Andalusian Spanish is its pronunciation. Here are some key features:

Seseo and ceceo: many Andalusians do not distinguish between the sounds of /s/ (like /s/ in silver) and /θ/ (like th in think). Some pronounce all of them as /s/ (seseo), while others pronounce them all as /θ/ (ceceo).
Dropping of final consonants: final consonant sounds often disappear. For example, verdad (=true/truth) sounds like verdá and reloj (=clock/watch) like reló.
Aspirated /s/: Instead of pronouncing the /s”/ sound strongly, many Andalusians aspirate it, making it sound like an English /h/. Foe example, mismo sounds like mihmo.
Softened ch: Some Andalusians pronounce /t͡ʃ/ (like ch in chest) as /ʃ/ (like sh in sushi). For example, in some parts of Andalusia chico may sound as shico.
What language is spoken in Andalusia

Vocabulary: Andalusian Words 📖

Andalusians use some unique words and expressions that might surprise even native Spanish speakers!

Here are a few examples:

Illo / quillo – Used to call someone, similar to the Spanish tío (=dude or mate).
No ni na – Used to give a strong affirmative reply to a negative statement, similar to the Spanish claro que sí (=sure it is).
Pechá – Used to indicate a large amount, similar to the Spanish mucho (=a lot).
Mijita – Used to indicate a small amount, similar to the Spanish poco (=a little).

These are just a few examples, but Andalusian Spanish is full of unique expressions and regional vocabulary. 🤩

Grammar Variations in andalusia language 📚

Andalusian Spanish also has some grammatical quirks (but not many):

The use of ustedes instead of vosotros – Standard Spanish distinguishes between vosotros (you, informal plural) and ustedes (you, formal plural). However, Andalusians often use ustedes in informal settings as well, while still conjugating the verb in the vosotros form.
Dequeísmo – The use of de que in contexts where standard Spanish requires only que. For example: «Creo de que ha venido tarde», whereas the correct form is «Creo que ha venido tarde» (=I think he has arrived late).

3. Do People Speak English in Andalusia? 🗣️

If you’re visiting Andalusia and don’t speak Spanish, you might be wondering how common English is. In major cities like Seville, Málaga, and Granada, many people in the tourism industry speak English, especially in hotels, restaurants, and popular attractions. However, in smaller towns and rural areas, English proficiency is much lower, so learning some basic Spanish phrases will be incredibly helpful💡.

I’ve written a dedicated post that covers this topic in more detail. You can check it out here!

4. Can I Learn Andalusian Spanish? 🎓

If you want to sound more like a local, listening to Andalusian speakers is the best way to get familiar with the accent. Watching movies, TV shows, or even following Andalusian content creators can help. Some recommended resources include:

🎬 Movies & TV Shows: The top film recommendation for experiencing Andalusian Spanish is Ocho apellidos vascos. But if you’re looking for more examples, I’ve put together a detailed post on the topic—check the post Andalusian Spanish in TV Shows and Movies!
🎶 Music: Flamenco artists like Paco de Lucía or Rosalía (who incorporates Andalusian elements into her music).
🎧 Podcasts: The best podcast I can recommend is the one I launched in December 2023, which has been incredibly well received. In it, I talk about the curiosities of Málaga, my hometown, in my characteristic Andalusian accent. And the best part? It’s completely free! You can listen to it here.

If you’re serious about learning to speak and understand Andalusian Spanish, I offer private lessons tailored to this dialect. I also have special courses designed to help you sound like a true Andalusian. If you’re interested, feel free to get in touch! 📩

5. Conclusion 💚​🤍

In summary, the language spoken in Andalusia is Spanish, but with a different accent! Andalusian Spanish has a distinct pronunciation, regional vocabulary, and grammatical twists.

While standard Spanish is understood everywhere, embracing a bit of the local dialect will make your experience in Andalusia even richer. ✨

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