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Languages of Cyprus

The de facto partition of the island into two ethnic parts has led to complication of languages in Cyprus. In 1960 the constitution of Republic Of Cyprus has recognized both Greek and Turkish as official languages. On the other hand British English is understood by the majority of the younger generation and by both Greeks and Turks present in Cyprus. It is maintained in Cyprus as a semi-official language and is the only means of communication between the two ethnic groups. The forms, documents and services in Cyprus are available both in Greek and in English. The large population of foreigners also contributes in maintaining English as the semi official language.

Prior to the partition Greek was widely understood by the Turkish and even to day Greek is understood by almost 19% if the Turkish population. The majority of the Greeks and Turks speak languages a local dialect. This local dialect is very different from the standard form of Greek and Turkish.  The people of Cyprus are unable to understand the standard version of Greek or Turkish spoken in Turkey and Greece.

 

All forms of political contacts are carried out in English. English is spoken and understood by the younger generation and it is the main form of communication for those who are less exposed to the ethnic language and it is the main form of communication for the large number of youngsters who frequently travel abroad to English speaking countries for further education.

However exception to this scenario is the Maronite Community. The people belonging to this community predominantly speak Arabic. They are traditionally from Syrian background, but when they traveled to the Greek infested South they were in danger of losing their identity. Nonetheless today the younger generation mostly uses English for communication and education.