Researchers at the University of Cambridge have launched a new study into Llanito, the distinctive hybrid vernacular spoken in Gibraltar, and its relationship to Gibraltar English. The project is led by Professor Brechtje Post, Professor Ioanna Sitaridou, Professor Laura Wright, and Research Assistant Amber Holt, and forms part of the University’s commitment to documenting and supporting Gibraltar’s multilingual heritage.

As part of the study, the team has created a public survey and will also conduct interviews with speakers. The survey, which takes fewer than ten minutes to complete, collects information on language history, usage, proficiency and attitudes, and is based on the internationally recognised Bilingual Language Profile. The interviews will offer an opportunity to explore in more depth the experiences of speakers and the cultural value of Llanito.

Llanito—sometimes called Yanito—blends Andalusian Spanish and British English with elements from Maltese, Portuguese, Ligurian and other languages. It is characterised by its frequent code-switching and colourful colloquialisms, and has long been regarded as a key marker of Gibraltarian identity. At the same time, researchers note that its use among younger generations appears to be in decline, raising questions about its future vitality.

The Cambridge team has already spoken on Radio Gibraltar about the importance of recording and understanding Llanito, describing the project as a timely opportunity to preserve knowledge of what has been called “Gibraltar’s dying mother tongue.”

Those wishing to take part in the study are warmly invited to complete the survey, available here