GR
Hellenic Republic
Greece
Summary
Official Name
Hellenic Republic
International Conventions
CPPDCE (2007), CSICH (2007), ICCPR (1997), UNCRPD (2012), UNDRIP (2007)
Population
10,728,000
Principal Languages
Greek
Literacy Rate
98% (2018 UNESCO)
General References
Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987, Salminen 2007
Language Counts
The number of established languages listed for Greece is 22. All are living languages. Of these, 14 are indigenous and 8 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 4 are institutional, 8 are developing, 1 is vigorous, 2 are in trouble, and 7 are dying. Also listed are 14 unestablished languages.
Languages
- Albanian, Arvanitika aat
- Attica region: Athens; Central Greece region: Voiotia, south Evvoia and Salamis islands; Peloponnese region: Argolis and Korinthia areas, Messinia, from Kalamitra northwest, Lakonia, east coastal area near Rikhea; Southern Aegean: Kyklades, Andros island north; Western Greece: northwest Achaia, north of Lapas. Mainly rural, 300 villages. Users: 50,000 (Salminen 2007). Ethnic population: 150,000. Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Arberichte, Arbërisht, Arvanitic, Arvanitika Autonym: αρbε̰ρίσ̈τ (Arbërisht) Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Tosk
- Albanian, Tosk als
- Western Macedonia region: Florina and Kastoria, northeast of Lake Orestiada. Users: 10,000 in Greece (2002). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Arvanitika, Camerija, Shqip Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Tosk
- Arabic, Egyptian Spoken arz
- Users: 10,500 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
- Armenian, Western hyw
- Scattered, with largest communities in Attica and Thessaly and Central Greece. Users: 20,000 in Greece (2007). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Armenian
- Aromanian rup
- Central Macedonia: Pella area, southeast of Lake Vegoritis and into Imathia, Kastoria into Florina and Kozani; Epirus region: western Ioannina; Thessaly region: Trikala southwest corner; Western Macedonia: Grevena. Users: 50,000 in Greece (Salminen 1999). Ethnic population: 700,000 (Association of French Aromanians). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Armani, Armina, Armini, Arumanian, Arumenian, Macedo Romanian, Macedo-Rumanian, Vlach Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
- Assyrian Neo-Aramaic aii
- Users: 2,000 in Greece. Ethnic population: 9,000. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern
- Bengali ben
- Users: 11,100 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
- Bulgarian bul
- Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region: Xanthi and 2 other departments. Users: 75,900 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
- Cappadocian Greek cpg
- Central Greece region: Mandra village; Central Macedonia: Neo Agioneri and Xirohori villages. Users: 2,800 (2015 M. Janse). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Asia Minor Greek, Cappadocian Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
- Chinese, Mandarin cmn
- Users: 19,000 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
- Dutch nld
- Users: 4,600 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
- English eng
- Widespread. Users: 5,535,400 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 15,400 in Greece (2011 census). L2 users: 5,520,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
- French fra
- Scattered. Users: 809,200 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 6,200 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). L2 users: 803,000 (Beck et al 2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
- Georgian kat
- Users: 27,400 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kartvelian, Georgian
- German, Standard deu
- Scattered. Users: 545,400 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 9,400 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. L2 users: 536,000 (2018). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Deutsch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
- Greek ell
- Widespread. Users: 10,700,000 in Greece (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 13,288,970 (as L1: 13,230,470; as L2: 58,500). Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Alternate Names: Grec, Greco, Neo-Hellenic, Romaic Autonym: Νέα Ελληνικά (Néa Ellīniká), ελληνικά (Elliniká) Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
- Greek Sign Language gss
- Scattered. Users: 11,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 11,000 signing deaf, assuming 0.1% of total population. Other estimates: 5,000 (2019 EUD); 42,600 (Van Cleve 1986); 62,500 (2014 IMB). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2000, Law 2817, Official language of deaf community). Alternate Names: Elleniké Noematiké Glossa, GSL Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
- Greek, Ancient grc
- Scattered. Religious language. Users: No known L1 speakers. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Status: 9 (Second language only). Autonym: Ἑλληνική (Hellēnikḗ) Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
- Italian ita
- Users: 7,700 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
- Judeo-Italian itk
- Ionian Islands region: Kerkyra regional unit. Users: 50 in Greece (Salminen 2007). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Italkian Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
- Kurdish, Northern kmr
- Users: 21,000 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
- Ladino lad
- Mainly Thessaloniki. Users: 12 in Greece (2017 John Kazaklis). Ethnic population: 1,000 (2018). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Jūdeo-Esupanyōru, Judeo-Espagnol, Tzoudeo-Espaniol Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
- Polish pol
- Users: 14,100 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
- Pontic pnt
- Central Macedonia: Kilkis, Pella, Serres, and Thessaloniki except south of Kalamaria borough. Users: 400,000 in Greece (2009 Z. Diakonikolaou). Total users in all countries: 778,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Pontic Greek, Romeika, Romeyka Autonym: Ποντιακά (Pontiaká), Ποντιακόν λαλίαν (Pontiakón lalían) Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
- Romani, Balkan rmn
- Epirus (Romancilikanes dialect); Western Macedonia (Serres dialect); Peloponnese region: (Pyrgos dialect). Users: 40,000 in Greece (1996 B. Igla). 10,000 Arlija, 30,000 Greek Romani. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Balkan
- Romani, Vlax rmy
- Attica region: Ajia Varvara, suburb of Athens; Epirus region: Parakalamos; Thessaly region: Karditsa regional unit, Sofades; Trikala regional unit. Users: 1,000 in Greece. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Rom, Romanés, Tsingani Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
- Romanian ron
- Users: 56,900 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
- Romanian, Megleno ruq
- Central Macedonia region: Kilkis and Pella regional units, Meglen area, north of Salonika. Users: 2,900 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 5,000. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Meglenite, Meglenitic Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
- Romano-Greek rge
- Thessaly and Central Greece Administrative Unit; secret language, itinerant builders, especially in Evrytania and Fthiotis. Users: 30 (2000). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Hellenoromani, Romika Classification: Mixed language, Greek-Romani
- Russian rus
- Kavala. Users: 210,000 in Greece (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 85,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
- Serbian srp
- Users: 3,900 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
- Slavic mkd
- Central Macedonia region: Florina, Kilkis, Imathia, Pella, Serres, and Thessaloniki; Epirus region: Ioannina; Western Macedonia region: Kastoria except south Nestorio municipality, Kozani. Users: Population for Slavic speakers in Greece is very difficult to find. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
- Tagalog tgl
- Users: 9,800 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Tagalog
- Tsakonian tsd
- Peloponnese region: Arkadia regional unit, Leonidio and Prastos towns; Kastanitsa, Melana, Pramatefti, Sapounakeika, Sitena, and Tyros villages. Users: 1,500 (2010 M. Kisilier). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Tsakonia Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Doric
- Turkish tur
- Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region: Xanthi, west of Lake Vistorius, on Bulgaria border; Rodopi, Bulgaria border west of Komotini. Users: 40,000 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 9,700 in Greece (2014). L2 users: 30,300 (2014). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Xanthi, 2 other eastern provinces (1923, Treaty of Lausanne). Alternate Names: Osmanli, Türkçe Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
- Ukrainian ukr
- Users: 17,000 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Languages by Status
Greek
[ell] 1 (National). De facto national language. 10,700,000 in Greece (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 13,288,970 (as L1: 13,230,470; as L2: 58,500).
Turkish
[tur] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Xanthi, 2 other eastern provinces (1923, Treaty of Lausanne). 40,000 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 9,700 in Greece (2014). L2 users: 30,300 (2014).
French
[fra] 4 (Educational). 809,200 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 6,200 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). L2 users: 803,000 (Beck et al 2018).
English
[eng] 4 (Educational). 5,535,400 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 15,400 in Greece (2011 census). L2 users: 5,520,000 (European Commission 2012).
Albanian, Tosk
[als] 5* (Dispersed). 10,000 in Greece (2002).
Bulgarian
[bul] 5* (Dispersed). 75,900 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality.
German, Standard
[deu] 5* (Dispersed). 545,400 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 9,400 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. L2 users: 536,000 (2018).
Armenian, Western
[hyw] 5* (Dispersed). 20,000 in Greece (2007).
Slavic
[mkd] 5* (Dispersed). Population for Slavic speakers in Greece is very difficult to find.
Greek Sign Language
[gss] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2000, Law 2817, Official language of deaf community). 11,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 11,000 signing deaf, assuming 0.1% of total population. Other estimates: 5,000 (2019 EUD); 42,600 (Van Cleve 1986); 62,500 (2014 IMB).
Pontic
[pnt] 5* (Developing). 400,000 in Greece (2009 Z. Diakonikolaou). Total users in all countries: 778,000.
Romani, Vlax
[rmy] 5* (Developing). 1,000 in Greece.
Romani, Balkan
[rmn] 6a* (Vigorous). 40,000 in Greece (1996 B. Igla). 10,000 Arlija, 30,000 Greek Romani.
Romanian, Megleno
[ruq] 6b (Threatened). 2,900 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 5,000.
Judeo-Italian
[itk] 7 (Shifting). 50 in Greece (Salminen 2007).
Language Vitality Profile

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Language Status Profile

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