Argentina is the land of art and beautiful landscape. But, most travelers wonder, do people speak English in Argentina? The answer is yes, but only a little.
There are many aspects to why natives in Argentina are not proficient in English. Let us look at the various linguistic aspects.
Do People Speak English In Argentina? – 7 Lingual Facts
Argentina is a South American country with a rich culture and heritage.
The people here are warm and welcoming, and they love to celebrate. Spanish is the official language of Argentina.
Most of the population does not speak English. There are pockets of English speakers throughout the country, especially in larger cities.
That is because Argentina has many English-speaking immigrants. Most are from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States.
You may not get by speaking only English in Argentina but finding people who can help you if you need it is possible.
Argentineans are generally very friendly and helpful, so don’t be afraid to ask!
1. How Widely Spoken Is English In Argentina:
The Cervantes Institute conducted a study on the languages spoken in Argentina.
According to that study, English is Argentina’s third most widely spoken foreign language.
That is after Spanish and Italian, both official languages in the country.
The institute estimates that about 1 million people in Argentina can speak English.
This number represents around 6% of the population. While this number may seem small, it is quite large when compared to other countries in Latin America.
For example, only 2% of the population in Mexico can speak English.
Interestingly, the majority of English speakers in Argentina are not native speakers.
Only 20% of English speakers in the country are native speakers. That means that the rest have learned English as a second language.
Still, there are mаnу Argentinians who dо speak at least some English, раrtiсulаrlу in the сitу оf Buenos Aires.
English is also widely spoken by the business community and tourism industry.
While you mау not be able tо get bу with English alоnе during your travels in Argentina. Learning at least some basic phrases before you go is still a good idea.
2. Percentage Of The Argentinian Population Can Speak English:
According to a 2015 report by the British Council. 36% of Argentinians surveyed claimed to be able to speak English.
That is a significant increase from 2006. That is when onlу 20% оf Argentinians could communicate in English.
However, the number of people who claim to be able to speak English has grown over the past decade. It’s still lоw соmраrеd to other countries in Latin America.
For example, 62% of Chileans and 55% of Uruguayans surveyed said they could speak English.
Although Spanish is the predominant language spoken in Argentina. English is also widely used in business, education, and tourism.
In addition, many Argentines study English in school and continue to practice it.
As a result, most people in Argentina can at least hold a conversation in English.
Still, you may need help communicating with locals if you don’t know Spanish. It’s always polite to attempt to speak Spanish first, even if your skills are limited.
Many Argentines are happy to help tourists who try to learn some basics of their language.
3. Languages Spoken In Argentina:
Argentina is a linguistically diverse country, with Spanish as the official language.
There are several other languages spoken throughout the country.
English is not an official language. But it is widely spoken in Argentina, especially in business and tourism contexts.
If you’re planning a trip to Argentina. There’s no need to worry about being unable to communicate in English.
Some minority languages are also spoken in Argentina. These include Italian, German, Welsh, and Gaelic.
However, these languages are mostly concentrated in specific regions of the country. That is specifically the places where their respective immigrant communities live.
So if you want to experience the country’s linguistic diversity, be sure to visit these areas.
Some of the languages and the number of speakers are as follows.
4. Tourism Is A Reason For Increase In English Speakers:
More and more people are interested in learning English to travel the world. That has caused a recent surge in English speakers visiting Argentina.
While Spanish is still the predominant language in Argentina. English is becoming more commonly spoken, especially in tourist areas.
That is good news for travelers who may need help speaking Spanish fluently.
Remember, however, that not everyone can speak English. So it’s always polite to attempt to speak some Spanish before resorting to English.
Most of the bigger cities have a significant number of English speakers. So you should be able to find someone to help you if you get lost or need directions.
5. History Of The English Language In Argentina:
The English language has a long and complicated history in Argentina.
While the country was under Spanish rule, the use of English was largely banned.
Except for a brief period during the 19th century, it was mainly used as a trade language.
After Argentina gained independence from Spain, schools started teaching English, and its use gradually increased.
However, in the 20th century, English began to take hold in Argentina. That was largely due to the increasing number of immigrants from English-speaking countries.
Countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States.
Today, English is one of the most widely spoken languages in Argentina. While it is not an official language, around 15% of the population speaks English fluently.
This percentage is even higher in major cities such as Buenos Aires and Cordoba.
In addition, English is widely taught in schools. Hence, it is becoming increasingly popular as a second language.
6. Immigrants Living In Argentina:
English is not an official language in Argentina. The government uses Spanish as its main language, but the people widely speak English.
There are many reasons for this. First, Argentina has a lot of immigrants living in the country.
Second, schools teach English as a mandatory subject.
And lastly, many cultural events and programs get conducted in English.
The immigrants from English-speaking countries add to the popularity of English in Argentina.
The number of native English speakers is low compared to other South American countries.
But still, the language is spoken by a good percentage of people.
7. Role Of the English Language In the Education System:
English has always played an important role in the education system of Argentina.
Most schools in Argentina offer English classes as a foreign language. Many students must take an English proficiency exam before graduating.
In addition, many universities offer courses taught in English. Plus, some programs are even conducted entirely in English.
The colleges provide English Language courses for the students. They also help them get placed in good companies in many ways.
Many top MNCs visiting these campuses for placements are English medium companies.
The students who cannot speak or write English have a tough time during placements. Most colleges provide separate training sessions for such students to help them out.
While not everyone in Argentina speaks fluent English, most people have at least some basic language knowledge.
That makes it easy for foreigners to get by in Argentina without speaking Spanish.
It is still recommended that visitors learn some Spanish before traveling to Argentina.
Cities With Most English Speakers In Argentina
There are cities in Argentina where English is the predominant language spoken.
That is due to the high number of expats and tourists that visit these cities each year.
The top five cities with the most English speakers are:
1. Buenos Aires:
The capital city of Argentina is also its largest, with a population of over 2.9 million people.
It’s no surprise that Buenos Aires would top this list. It’s a popular destination for travelers worldwide.
English is widely spoken here. That is especially true for tourist areas and the service industry.
That is because of the many expats living in the city and many tourists visiting each year.
There are many areas in Buenos Aires where English is the predominant language.
2. Bariloche:
This picturesque city in Patagonia. It is a popular destination for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
It’s also home to a large community of English speakers. That is thanks to its many bilingual schools and English-language institutes.
Located in the Andes Mountains, this city is popular among skiers and snowboarders. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.
3. Córdoba:
The second largest city in Argentina, Córdoba, is in the country’s central region. It’s a popular destination for students studying abroad.
Hence, English is widely spoken here. So you’ll have no problem finding someone to help you with directions or order your coffee in English.
Located in central Argentina, Cordoba is another city with many English speakers.
That is due to its large student population and the number of tourists that visit each year.
There are many areas in Cordoba where English is the predominant language spoken.
4. Mendoza:
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina known for its wines and scenic setting in the Andes Mountains.
It’s a popular destination for Argentine tourists. It welcomes foreign visitors from Chile and beyond.
Many of the city’s residents are bilingual in Spanish and English. So you should have no trouble getting by in English.
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina known for its wine production.
The city has many English speakers due to the high number of tourists that visit each year.
There are many areas in Mendoza where English is the predominant language spoken.
5. Salta:
The capital city of the northwestern province of Salta. Salta is a popular tourist destination.
It is famous for its colonial architecture and natural attractions like Cerro San Bernardo. The Valley of the Clouds is another beautiful place to visit.
While Spanish is the predominant language spoken in Salta. Many people in Salta are fluent in English. That is especially true for those working in the tourism industry.
Can You Get By Just English In Argentina?
It depends on where in Argentina you go. The answer is generally yes in big cities like Buenos Aires, but it can be more difficult in smaller towns.
English is not as widely spoken as in other parts of Latin America. But Spanish is also not as widely spoken as in other parts of the world.
So, if you know some Spanish, you should be able to get by just fine.
Remember that the accent can be very different from what you’re used to hearing.
Living in Argentina with only English can be difficult. Do your best to learn some Spanish before you go. It will make your experience much more enjoyable.
Many people still speak English, especially in the larger cities.
In addition, most Argentines are happy to practice their English with foreigners.
So feel free to try speaking English even if your pronunciation or grammar could be better. With a little effort, you should be able to get by just fine.
Final Thoughts:
So overall, do People Speak English In Argentina? Yes, they do! You’ll have no problem communicating with locals using English.
Many areas in Argentina have English as the predominant language. That is due to the large number of tourists that visit each year.
However, in most areas, Spanish is the predominant language. It is important to note that most Argentines speak both Spanish and English.
So, while traveling there, you won’t have much trouble communicating.
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