Many European countries that don’t speak English have a rich tapestry of cultures. Historically, Europe has been a mosaic of small kingdoms, empires, and tribes that use their own languages.
In modern times, while English is widely taught and spoken as a second language, most people still prefer to communicate in their native tongues in daily life. In this article, we’ll learn about European countries that still use their native languages until now.
1. Greece
Greece is one of the non-English-speaking European countries that uses Greek as its primary language. On the other hand, Greek is one of the oldest languages in the world, after all. While many teach and understand English, Greek remains the dominant language in daily life.
2. Netherlands
Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands. It reflects the cultural and historical roots of the country’s national identity. The Dutch are known for their excellent English proficiency even though the government prioritizes the native tongues.
3. Czech Republic
This country uses Czech as its primary language—a West Slavic language rooted in its medieval history. Despite English being taught and widely understood, Czech remains the dominant language.
4. France
Talking about European countries without English, France has to be on the list. The French take immense pride in their language and view it as a symbol of cultural heritage as well as a national identity.
On the other hand, the government actively promotes the use of French through policies and education despite the prevalence of English globally.
5. Austria
Austria is a multilingual Europe country that uses German as its official language. The use of German dates back to the early Holy Roman Empire and has been the primary language ever since.
While Austrians learn English as a second language and are generally proficient, German is used in all daily life.
6. Germany
German is this country’s official language, as most people use this language in all facets of daily life. English, on the other hand, is taught and understood, especially among younger people. Yet, German remains the dominant language.
7. Spain
Spanish or Castilian has a profound historical and cultural significance in Spain. Spanish emerged from Latin and has spread globally—making it one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe and the world.
Additionally, Spain has several regional languages, such as Catalan and Basque, further emphasizing the country’s linguistic diversity.
8. Sweden
Sweden’s official language is Swedish, a North Germanic language with a rich cultural and historical background. Although Swedes are known for their high proficiency in English, Swedish remains the primary language.
9. Italy
Europe language diversity is also seen in Italian. Italian evolved from Latin—the Roman language as Italy’s primary language. The people also value their language as a core aspect of their identity, which ensures Italian remains the dominant language.
10. Slovakia
Slovak is this country’s primary language and part of the national identity. Like most countries on this list, English is taught widely and understood by many. Still, Slovak remains the dominant language in both daily communication and official matters.
11. Hungary
Do you know that Hungarians have no close relatives in Europe? The language is a unique Finno-Ugric with roots traced back to the early Magyar tribes. Despite the increasing proficiency in English, Hungarian is used in all aspects of daily life, education, and government.
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