While it’s true that English is the official language of Idaho, that doesn’t mean other languages aren’t spoken by residents. As is the case in most states, Idaho is diverse. Along with Native American populations, immigrants often come into the region, and many bring their languages with them.
Often, the languages spoken in a state represent the area’s history and immigration patterns. Here’s a brief overview of Idaho’s immigration history, as well as a look at the top ten languages of Idaho other than English.
Idaho Immigration History
While Native Americans were once the only people living in the region now known as Idaho, settlers ultimately changed the population composition. Immigrants and settlers from eastern parts of the United States began arriving, with many being of British, German, Irish, Italian, French, Scandinavian, and Polish descent.
The initial population shifts began between 1850 and 1890 when various settlements started popping up along rail lines and travel routes. Many settlers and immigrants were enticed by the natural resources in the area, as well as the availability of land. While many of those who came to the region were of European ancestry, Chinese immigrants also made up a significant part of those arriving.
However, Hispanics, Asians, Africans, and African Americans have also come to Idaho over the years. As a result, the population is a bit more diverse than some would expect, though it remains primarily European or of European descent.
Top 10 Languages of Idaho (Other Than English)
Idaho is home to approximately 1.94 million people. While the vast majority speak English, around 10.8 percent of the population (about 209,416 residents) above the age of 4 speak a language other than English at home.
Plus, an estimated 3.95 percent of residents (about 76,592 people) are classified as having limited English proficiency (LEP). As a result, the Utah population speaks a wide array of languages. Here’s a quick rundown of the top ten languages of Idaho, not including English.
1. Spanish
In Idaho, there are an estimated 131,145 Spanish speakers living in the state. That gives Spanish speakers a population share just shy of 8.00 percent.
2. Chinese
Approximately 4,927 Idahoans speak Chinese (including Cantonese and Mandarin). As a result, Chinese speakers make up about 0.30 percent of the population.
3. German
German is spoken by around 4,053 Idaho residents, giving them a population share of nearly 0.28 percent.
4. Arabic
There are approximately 3,159 Arabic speakers in Idaho. In total, they represent a little more than 0.19 percent of the state’s population.
5. French
French (including Cajun) is spoken by an estimated 3,135 Idaho residents. That means that French speakers make up a tiny bit more than 0.19 percent of the population.
6. Russian
Around 2,574 Idahoans speak Russian, giving Russian speakers a population share of nearly 0.16 percent.
7. Tagalog
Tagalog (including Filipino) is spoken by approximately 2,270 Idaho residents. As a result, Tagalog speakers represent close to 0.14 percent of the state’s population.
8. Other Native American Languages
While some Native American languages are calculated separately in census data, most are grouped together. Since that’s the case, about 2,185 Idaho residents are classified as speaking other Native American languages, and they have a population share a bit above 0.13 percent.
9. Ukrainian and Other Slavic Languages
Approximately 2,106 Idahoans speak Ukrainian and other Slavic languages. That means these speakers make up nearly 0.13 percent of the state’s population.
10. Nepali, Marathi, and Other Indic Languages
Nepali, Marathi, and other Indic languages are spoken by about 1,728 Idaho residents. Together, these residents represent just a little shy of 0.11 percent of Idaho’s population.
Are You Looking for a Top-Quality Language Services Provider?
When you need to communicate with a diverse population, partnering with a leading language services provider is essential. The Acutrans team maintains the highest standards at all times, ensuring reliable results for all of your translation and interpretation needs.
Acutrans industry-leading professional interpretation services cover over 200 languages. On-site, over-the-phone, and video remote interpretation are all available, and there are specialty programs for the healthcare and legal industries. Acutrans also offers certified document translations in 24 hours or less, including general translation, post-machine translation, localization, and specialty programs for the legal, medical, and technical sectors.
By partnering with a leading language services provider, you get exceptional results reliably and efficiently. If you’re looking for professional translators or interpreters you can count on, Acutrans is a fast and dependable solution. Contact us for a free quote today.