Language

The local language Papiamento and Dutch are the official languages of Aruba, but most Arubans speak a minimum of four languages including English and Spanish. Although Papiamento was in use as the native language for 300 years, it was only declared as an official language, alongside Dutch, as of March 19, 2003.

Papiamento is a lyrical language that evolved from Spanish and Portuguese, Dutch, some French, English, and a smattering of African languages. To the ear papiamanto sounds a great deal like Spanish, and it's not surprising that Spanish-speaking visitors from Venezuela and other Latin American countries have little problem communicating on the island. The language is thought to have evolved in Curacao during the 16th century, when slaves and their Spanish owners developed common ground in which to communicate. Keeping in mind that spelling varies within the language, and among the islands that use it (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao).