Ahead of the removal of the physical frontier at the Gibraltar-Spain border, Professor Ioanna Sitaridou of the University of Cambridge explores the dynamic nature of language and identity through the lens of Llanito. Drawing on her expertise in historical linguistics, she challenges common myths about “pure” or fixed languages, revealing how contact, migration, and power shape the way we speak.
From the evolution of Mediterranean lingua francas to the impact of colonial histories and globalisation, Sitaridou unpacks why some languages gain prestige while others are marginalised and what happens when speakers begin to lose confidence in their own voice. She also reflects on multilingualism, cultural survival, and the deeply human drive to connect across borders, both physical and psychological.
An interesting conversation about language, identity, and the choices our community may face in preserving, or losing, our linguistic heritage.