Galician

Language Lecturer: Inés Fariña

Introduction

Galician, historically the origin of present-day Portuguese, is a Romance language currently spoken by more than two million people, mainly in Galicia (northwestern Spain), as well as in some border areas of the neighbouring regions of Asturias, Castile and León, and even Extremadura, in addition to the Galician migrant communities around the world.

The Centre for Galician Studies at the University of Oxford, housed in the Queen’s College, was founded in 1991 under the Directorship of Dr John Rutherford with the support of the Xunta de Galicia. It was the first academic institution to offer Galician Studies outside Spain.

Within the framework of the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, the Centre organises a wide variety of cultural and research events each year and co-organises the biannual Forum for Iberian Studies, which brings together the different languages and cultures of the Iberian Peninsula on an equal footing.

The library of the John Rutherford Centre for Galician Studies is a well-stocked and welcoming space, offering an ample collection of books, dictionaries, and audiovisual materials related to Galician culture, where teaching and research take place.

Why study Galician?

Galician culture has been shaped to a large extent by its peripheral condition throughout the centuries, developing a genuine and strong sense of identity. It has fostered a fascinating collective imagination that embraces a founding myth shared with Irish legends (the Sons of Mil, Breogán and the Tower) as per its Celtic heritage. It also incorporates numerous appearances of the Arthurian legends in its literature since the Middle Ages —when Galicia was the cradle of one of the most important literary movements of all time, the Galician-Portuguese lyric— up to the present day.

Despite the historical and political changes that led to their current differences, Galician and Portuguese are still considered part of the same linguistic system. This makes Galicia and the Galician language a privileged bridge between Spain and the enthralling Portuguese-speaking world.

Undergraduate Studies

Although Galician is not available as a full Modern Languages degree subject, it can be studied as a language/cultural/translation course (both for undergraduate and graduate students) in combination with the main language subject(s), especially for those who are reading Portuguese and Spanish or other Romance languages. It can also be taken as an optional Paper at Finals (Paper VIII, XII or Extended Essay in Galician Literature or Linguistics):

Language courses

Beginners Galician

This course offers an introduction to the Galician language and culture for complete beginners (CEFR A1+). By the end of the course, students will be able to manage everyday situations such as introducing themselves, ordering in a café, or asking for directions. The main objective is to build a foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation while gaining confidence to speak from the very first class.

Intermediate Galician 1

This course is for students who have completed Beginners Galician or have a background in Spanish or Portuguese (CEFR A2–B1). It aims to expand vocabulary and grammar to narrate past events, talk about plans, and express opinions more clearly and accurately. Cultural topics, such as myths, gastronomy, and everyday traditions, are integrated throughout the course.

Intermediate Galician 2

For students with a B1 level of Galician (CEFR B1–B2), this course aims to strengthen fluency and spontaneity, while improving control of more complex structures. By the end of the course, students will be able to debate familiar cultural and social topics, narrate experiences in detail, and use a wider range of connectors and idiomatic expressions.

Advanced Galician

Intended for students who have already completed previous levels or spent time in Galicia (CEFR B2–C1). The main objective is to refine both oral and written proficiency and to develop the ability to argue, debate, and write with sophistication.

Galician Speaking

Focusing on spoken interaction, this course strengthens oral communication and builds confidence across levels of proficiency. Oral practice is complemented by mini-debates on cultural issues, encouraging both fluency and critical engagement.

Creative and Applied Translation: Culture, Media and Literature (GL/EN)

This course brings together different types of translation in a single space. We will translate and adapt a wide range of texts and formats, including literature and poetry, audiovisual materials, tourism and cultural services, advertising, social media content and even memes.

Paper XII

Candidates will be required to demonstrate a solid understanding of the structure and contemporary use of Galician, engaging with the language through translation and sociolinguistic reflection. Assessment will consist of three essays: one about the history of translation into Galician, another focusing on a specific translational problem and the strategies that may be applied to resolve it, and a third discussing a sociolinguistic topic such as language policy, bilingualism, or the position of Galician in present-day society.

Students are free to choose their own essay topics, as long as they relate to the general themes indicated for each assignment.

Please note: This option must be agreed at least one year in advance, and the student’s tutor must contact me accordingly.

Related materials and websites

Translating Contemporary Galician Poetry (seminar)

Students at the John Rutherford Centre for Galician Studies translate seven contemporary Galician texts, by seven contemporary Galician poets, over seven weeks:

Click here to see the results of Hilary Term 2022, along with the original Galician texts. Translations are by Erin Nickalls, Nathan Leach, Cliona Vaughan Spruce, Laura Norris and Nick West. Posters and postcards with excerpts of these texts can be found all over Oxford as a way to bring poetry and Galician language outside the classroom.

Click here to see the results of Hilary Term 2023, along with the original Galician texts. Translations are by Veronika Gvozdovaite, Lydia Gregory and Isobel Richardson. Results of this seminar have been shared at events by Oxford Language Immersion, and will be shared at the open mic events orginised by Oxford Poetry Library, as a way to bring poetry and Galician language outside the classroom.

Click here to see the results of Hilary Term 2024, along with the original Galician texts. Translations are by Pau Francesch Sabaté, Bryony Fishpool, Veronika Gvozdovaitė, Laura Norris, Isobel Richardson, and Cliona Vaughan-Spruce. The first translation in this year's edition will be also published in a special number of the translation journal Viceversa, of the University of Vigo.