Asturian language

Asturian
asturianu
Native toSpain
RegionAsturias
EthnicityAsturians
Native speakers
(Around 1/3 of Asturians cited 2000)
62% of Asturians (2017)
Early forms
Dialects
Latin
Official status
Recognised minority
language in
Regulated byAcademia de la Llingua Asturiana
Language codes
ISO 639-2ast
ISO 639-3ast
Glottologastu1245
ELPAsturian
Linguasphere51-AAA-ca
IETFast-u-sd-esas
Linguistic area of Astur-Leonese, including Asturian

Asturian (/æˈstʊəriən/; asturianu [astuˈɾjanʊ]) is a West Iberian Romance language spoken in the Principality of Asturias, Spain. Asturian is part of a wider linguistic group, the Asturleonese languages. The number of speakers is estimated at 100,000 (native) and 450,000 (second language). The dialects of the Astur-Leonese language family are traditionally classified in three groups: Western, Central, and Eastern. For historical and demographic reasons, the standard is based on Central Asturian. Asturian has a distinct grammar, dictionary, and orthography. It is regulated by the Academy of the Asturian Language. Although it is not an official language of Spain, it is protected under the Statute of Autonomy of Asturias and is an elective language in schools. For much of its history, the language has been ignored or "subjected to repeated challenges to its status as a language variety" due to its lack of official status.