Panama is a spectacular country in Central America with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, with Colombia (and South America) to the southeast and Costa Rica (and North America) to the northwest. It’s strategically located on the isthmus that forms the land bridge connecting North and South America. It controls the Panama Canal that links the North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean, one of the most important shipping routes in the world.
Languages Spoken in Panama
Spanish
If you cross the border from Costa Rica into Panama, you will notice a large change in the dialect. True to its Caribbean orientation, Panamanian Spanish sounds much closer to Puerto Rican than Tico or Nicaraguan Spanish.
For students with experience of Mexican or European Spanish, it may take a little getting used to. However, it is very easy to understand and it is by no means more difficult than other Spanish Speaking countries. Panamanians tend to pronouce h instead o s and to not pronounce certains D’s at the end of certain words. But is part of the slang, Panamanians are fully capable of speaking proper Spanish and they are aware of the use of the Slang.
Panama City has a different dialect, more Chombo Style in which they mix English words with Spanish. Althought educated Panamanians try to speak proper Spanish, they are very proud of their dialect and would rather use it unless it is a formal conversation or public speaking.
Idiom
If you’re from the United States, avoid referring to yourself as American. Panamanians consider themselves American too (Central Americans) although they never refer to each other as Americans. While you may have been taught in school to refer to yourself as American estadounidense, the most common catch-all for US and Canadian citizens is Norteamericano/a. Alternatively, Estados Unidos for United States is easily understood, as is US or USA.
There is some debate over the use of norteamericano/a. Americans actually living in Panama never hear a Panamanian refer to themselves as American. Nor do they ever hear a Canadian referring to themselves as an American. Visitors may be very confused by the Panamanian sense of humor, which finds great hilarity in all forms of slapstick, and often doesn’t get irony at all.
Indigenous Languages
Panama has a lot more indigenous culture than some neighboring countries. In Kuna Yala you will hear the native Kuna language spoken. In the Ngöbe-Buglé Comarca, as well as in Chiriqui or Bocas del Toro, you might hear the native Ngöbe-Buglé (Guaymí) language, although the Ngöbe and the Buglé are very quiet around foreigners. If you ask directions from one of them, you will probably just get a hand or lips pointed wordlessly in the right direction.
English
Much of the Caribbean Coast of Panama was settled by Jamaicans. More recently, the descendants of those settlers seem to be speaking more Spanish, but a lot of them still speak English, albeit a very Caribbean variety, called Guari Guari.
Until only a few years ago, the canal was controlled by the USA. The US has given the canal back to Panama, but many people in Panama City and other areas near the canal still speak English as a second language. Surprisingly, English is not as common as you would think for how long the Americans spent in the country. It’s not so common for people working in shops or people in the street to speak English.
As likely as not you’ll by surprised by the amount of homeless people speaking English as compared to the general population. This is due to the fact that many are descended from Caribbean workers bought across to help build the canal. That being said, there are a number of English News and Blog sites to help with your travels.
Popular Places to Study
- Panama City – The capital (There are three areas of interest, the new city, the old city, and the colonial city)
- Colón
- David
- Gamboa
- Boquete – Coffee Growing Capital of Panama in the Chiriquí Highlands
Spanish Courses in Panama
Spanish lessons will help you communicate with ease during your time in Panama and Central America. Courses are tailored for beginner, intermediate, and advanced speakers. Whether you want the know-how to find “el baño” at a restaurant, or are hoping to put your slang to the test, your language instructor will help you get there.