We all want to be understood when we travel, but that can be difficult if you’re visiting countries whose primary language you don’t speak. So you’ll be pleased to know that Belize’s official language is English, making it a fantastic destination for English-speaking visitors.
English: official language of Belize
English is the primary language in Belize as a byproduct of its English colonial heritage. It is spoken by more than 62% of Belizeans, according to the latest 2010 census, although that number is slightly lower in the Stann Creek district, where Hopkins is located, at around 52%. English is also the main language in the education system of Belize.
However, many Belizeans are bilingual, or even multilingual, so although English is the official language, it is not the first language for many Belizeans. The Belizean government encourages multilingualism as it facilitates communication with nearby countries and internationally.
Other languages spoken in Belize
There is a wide variety of other languages spoken in Belize, including many dialect variants. Some of the other commonly spoken languages are listed below.
Spanish
Many people assume that Spanish is the official language in Belize, due to its location among many other Spanish-speaking nations in Central America. However, only 56% of Belizeans speak Spanish and only 45% speak Spanish as their first language.
Belizean Creole
Belizean Creole is a dialect found only in Belize. It is a combination of English and Creole, and is spoken by most people in the country, regardless of their native language. Belizean Creole is also the most widely spoken language in Stann Creek in general.
Mayan languages
With a sizable proportion of the population in Belize identifying as mestizo, or of mixed indigenous descent, it is not surprising that some Belizeans have also continued to use multiple Mayan dialects.
Originating from the Mayan populations of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Belize, three main Mayan languages are spoken here, with about 10% of Belizeans speaking at least one of the three:
– Q’echti’
Originally from Guatemala and Belize, this language is spoken by the majority of the Mayan population in the Toledo district of southern Belize.
– Mopan
This Mayan language originated in Guatemala, as well as the Maya Mountains area of central Belize, where there are believed to be around 6,000 to 8,000 speakers.
– Yucatec Maya
Spoken in the Yucatan region of Mexico and northern Belize, this Mayan language is spoken by around 2,500 Belizeans, according to the 2010 census.
– Garifuna
Garifuna is the language spoken by around 16,000 residents of Belize and the majority of residents of Hopkins, due to the large Garifuna population in the town. It is made up of words from a combination of languages, including Arawak, Caribbean, French, English, and Spanish.
This minority language was proclaimed a ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO in 2008, in an effort to highlight its importance and encourage its continued use for future generations.
– German
Surprisingly, there are also Mennonite colonies in Belize where German is spoken, usually Low German or Pennsylvania German. There are currently believed to be around 12,000 German-speaking Mennonites in Belize.