Cyprus Languages

Cyprus Wiki Topics
Beginning Research
Research Strategies Record Finder Online Learning
Record Types
Census Records Church Records Civil Registration Land & Property Military Records	Nobility Notarial Records Online Records Probate Records Religious Records
Cyprus Background
Gazetteers History Jurisdictions Languages Maps	Naming Customs Social Life & Customs For Further Reading
Local Research Resources
Archives & Libraries Societies FamilySearch Centers

Cyprus

Languages

Description

Cyprus has two official languages:

• Greek - Everyday language is Cypriot Greek
• Turkish - Everyday language is Cypriot Turkish

Cyprus minority languages are:

• Armenian
• Cypriot Maronite Arabic

Without official status:

• English -

• Widely spoken
• On road signs, public notices, and in advertisements
• English was the sole official language during British colonial rule and the lingua franca until 1960, and continued to be used (de facto) in courts of law until 1989 and in legislation until 1996.
• 80.4% of Cypriots are proficient in the English language as a second language

Other Languages spoken:

• Russian

• Widely spoken among the country's minorities, residents and citizens of post-Soviet countries, and Pontic Greeks.
• The third language used on many signs of shops and restaurants, particularly in Limassol and Paphos.

• French 12%
• German 5%

Word List(s)

• Greek Genealogical Word List
• Turkish Genealogical Word List
• Latin Genealogical Word List
• Arabic Genealogical Word List

Additional Resources

Greek and Turkish are the official languages of Cyprus and are taught in schools and used in broadcasting. English is widely spoken. The Greek language spoken today in Cyprus is called the Cypriot dialect. Although the Cypriot Greek dialect shows evidence of some Latin-Italian, Turkish, and even English influences, it is considered the closest living language to ancient Greek. The records of Cyprus are generally in Greek or Turkish, with some in English during the time of British rule. During the Ottoman period most records other than church records were in Turkish, even those pertaining to Greeks. A few records associated with the Muslims may be in Arabic language and it is important to note that until the 1900s Turkish language was written in the Arabic alphabet. Cyprus has also had several minority religious groups including Maronites, Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, and Jews. Thus one can expect to find some records in Latin, Armenian, and Hebrew as well.