Languages of Ecuador
| Languages of Ecuador | |
|---|---|
Map of the main dialects of Spanish in Ecuador | |
| Official | Spanish; Spanish, Kichwa and Shuar for intercultural relations; Remaining indigenous languages are official where they are spoken |
| Main | Spanish |
| Indigenous | Achuar–Shiwiar, Awa–Cuaiquer, Cha'palaachi, Cofán, Colorado, Emberá languages, Quechua languages, Secoya, Shuar, Siona, Tetete, Waorani, Záparo |
| Vernacular | Ecuadorian Spanish, Media Lengua, Andean Spanish, Equatorial Spanish |
| Foreign | English |
| Signed | Ecuadorian Sign Language |
| Keyboard layout | |
There are a total of 14 languages of Ecuador. Spanish in Ecuador is very rich and consists of several dialects that have been creating regional identities within this country. On the other hand, of the original languages, both Kichwa and Shuar are spoken within the corresponding indigenous communities and are legally considered as official languages of intercultural relationship within those communities. The rest of the indigenous languages do not have this recognition. Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language in Ecuador with (97.0%; 2022 census), of the population speaking Spanish.
In total, according to the most recent census of 2022, up to 3.2% of the population speak an indigenous language. This amounts to 645.821 people that are distributed in the following way:
- Kichwa with 527,333 speakers, making up 40.5% of the total indigenous population.
- Shuar with 59,894 speakers, making up 4.6% of the total indigenous population.
- Other languages with 58,594 speakers, making up 4.5% of the total indigenous population.
The other languages cited include the following: Achuar–Shiwiar, Awa–Cuaiquer, Cha'palaachi, Cofán, Colorado, Emberá languages, Secoya, Shuar, Siona, Tetete, Waorani, Záparo.