Page Type: countryGreece | Ethnologue

GR

Hellenic Republic

Greece

Summary

Hellenic Republic
CPPDCE (2007), CSICH (2007), ICCPR (1997), UNCRPD (2012), UNDRIP (2007)
10,728,000
Greek
98% (2018 UNESCO)
Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987, Salminen 2007
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.
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
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
Users: 10,500 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Scattered, with largest communities in Attica and Thessaly and Central Greece. Users: 20,000 in Greece (2007). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Armenian
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
Users: 2,000 in Greece. Ethnic population: 9,000. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern
Users: 11,100 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
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
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
Users: 19,000 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Users: 4,600 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
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
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
Users: 27,400 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kartvelian, Georgian
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
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
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
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
Users: 7,700 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
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
Users: 21,000 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
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
Users: 14,100 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
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
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
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
Users: 56,900 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
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
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
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
Users: 3,900 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
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
Users: 9,800 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Tagalog
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
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
Users: 17,000 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
    [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).
    [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).
    [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).
    [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).
    [als] 5* (Dispersed). 10,000 in Greece (2002).
    [bul] 5* (Dispersed). 75,900 in Greece (2011 census). , based on nationality.
    [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).
    [hyw] 5* (Dispersed). 20,000 in Greece (2007).
    [mkd] 5* (Dispersed). Population for Slavic speakers in Greece is very difficult to find.
    [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).
    [pnt] 5* (Developing). 400,000 in Greece (2009 Z. Diakonikolaou). Total users in all countries: 778,000.
    [rmy] 5* (Developing). 1,000 in Greece.
    [rmn] 6a* (Vigorous). 40,000 in Greece (1996 B. Igla). 10,000 Arlija, 30,000 Greek Romani.
    [ruq] 6b (Threatened). 2,900 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a). , based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 5,000.
    [itk] 7 (Shifting). 50 in Greece (Salminen 2007).
    [rup] 8a (Moribund). 50,000 in Greece (Salminen 1999). Ethnic population: 700,000 (Association of French Aromanians).
    [tsd] 8a (Moribund). 1,500 (2010 M. Kisilier).
    [aat] 8a (Moribund). 50,000 (Salminen 2007). Ethnic population: 150,000.

Greece

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile