Peru language
The Republic of Peru is a country located in South America, whose capital is Lima. It has a population of more than 32 million inhabitants (43rd) and an area of 1,285,216 km 2 (19th). Its human development index is high (89º) and its official currency is the Sol. But what language is spoken in Peru?
What language do they speak in Peru?
Peru has an official language, Spanish.
However, Peru has several co- official languages: the aboriginal languages, in the areas where they predominate (among which Quechua and Aimara stand out). In theory, every Peruvian can communicate with any authority using their own language, through an interpreter. But the reality is different, since the public administration does not have personnel who speak all the indigenous languages of Peru. This use of one’s own language extends to the courts, official business and in the media.
These indigenous languages are spoken mostly in the Central Andes and in the Amazon rainforest. Apart from Quechua and Aymara, there are other Andean languages, such as Jacaru (730 speakers) and Cauqui (9). In the Amazon region there is more variety, of which the Aguaruna (53,400) and the Asháninca (4,000) stand out.
The most widely spoken immigrant language in Peru is Chinese, with 100,000 speakers. Other languages are Japanese, German, Italian, Arabic and Hindustani. In addition, tourism is influencing the learning of English in tourist areas.
The Spanish language
Spanish is spoken by 86.5% of the population (of these , 7.9% as a second language). It is the predominant language in the media, in government, in education and in commerce. Spanish dominates urban areas, especially the coast of the country. Most of these Spanish speakers are monolingual. It has 4 dialects (Equatorial, Peruvian Riverside, Andean and Amazonian).
The Quechua language
Quechua (Runa Simi) encompasses a set of languages spoken in the western part of South America. Peru is the only country where Waywash Quechua (group 1) is spoken. Wámpuy Quechua (group 2) is also spoken in Peru, but it is not exclusive to the country.
In total, this macrolanguage is spoken by 14.3% of the population. If we detail the number of speakers for each of the 32 Quechua languages, they are the following (in the 3rd column, percentage that does not speak another language):
| Quechua language | Number of speakers | % monolingual | Cluster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both-Pasco | 90,000 | twenty% | (1) Waywash |
| apurímac east | 200,000 | 40% | (2C) Wampuy |
| Arequipa-La Union | 18,600 | 54% | (2C) Wampuy |
| Ayacucho | 900,000 | 33% | (2C) Wampuy |
| Cajamarca | 30,000 | – | (2A) Wampuy |
| Cajatambo, North Lima | 7,000 | 40% | (1) Waywash |
| Chachapoyas | 7,000 | 1% | (2A) Wampuy |
| Chaupihuaranga | 20,500 | 40% | (1) Waywash |
| Chincha | 6,000 | – | (1) Waywash |
| Chiquian | 10,000 | 40% | (1) Waywash |
| north conchucos | 250,000 | 26% | (1) Waywash |
| south conchucos | 250,000 | 32% | (1) Waywash |
| Corongo, Ancash | 4,000 | 43% | (1) Waywash |
| Cuzco | 1,500,000 | twenty% | (2C) Wampuy |
| Huallaga | 40,000 | 66% | (1) Waywash |
| Huamalíes, Dos de Mayo/Huánuco | 72,400 | 28% | (1) Waywash |
| Huaylas, Ancash | 336,000 | 6% | (1) Waywash |
| Huaylla-Wanca | 25,000 | – | (1) Waywash |
| Jauja Wanca | 25,000 | – | (1) Waywash |
| North Junin | 60,000 | 12% | (1) Waywash |
| Lambayeque | 20,000 | – | (2A) Wampuy |
| Margos-Lauricocha-Yarowilca | 83,400 | 17% | (1) Waywash |
| Napo | 10,000 | – | (2B) Wampuy |
| Pacaraos | 250 | – | (1) Waywash |
| Panama | 50,000 | twenty% | (1) Waywash |
| north pastaza | 2,000 | – | (2B) Wampuy |
| southern pastaza | 1,550 | twenty% | (2B) Wampuy |
| Fist | 500,000 | twenty% | (2C) Wampuy |
| San Martin | 15,000 | 13% | (2B) Wampuy |
| Santa Ana de Tusi Pasco | 10,000 | – | (1) Waywash |
| Sihuas, Ancash | 6,500 | 46% | (1) Waywash |
| Yauyos | 6,500 | – | (1) Waywash |
| Total | 4,556,700 | 24% |
Quechua languages in which the percentage of monolinguals is unknown are marked with a “-“.
The Aymara language
Aymara (Aymar aru) is spoken by 2.1% of the population. It is spoken mainly in the departments of Moquegua, Puno and Tacna. UNESCO considers the situation of the language in “vulnerable”. It is written with the Latin alphabet plus some additional letters (ä ch ch’ chh ï k’ kh ñ p’ ph q’ qh t’ th ü).
Share which languages are spoken in Peru.