Asturian 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. 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.
19th-century sketch of 17th-century author Antón de Marirreguera
Jurist and neoclassical author Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (1744–1811), who envisaged the Academy of the Asturian Language
Asturian dictionary, published by the Academy of the Asturian Language
Asturias, Asturian: Asturies ) officially the Principality of Asturias, is an autonomous community in northwest Spain.
Roman thermae in Gijón
Processional Cross, ca. 1150–75, it comes from a 12th-century church fifty miles east of Oviedo. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Santa María del Naranco, ancient palace of Asturian Kings, 842 AD. Many churches of Asturias are among the oldest churches of Europe, dating to the Early Middle Ages.
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos
