The official language of Egypt is Modern Standard Arabic, which is used in government, education, media, and formal writing. However, the most widely spoken language in everyday life is Egyptian Arabic, also known as Masri or Masry (مصرى). Egyptian Arabic is a vernacular dialect that differs from Modern Standard Arabic in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, and it is the first language of over 100 million Egyptians. It has influences from Coptic (the ancient Egyptian language), Turkish, French, English, and other languages due to Egypt's history and interactions
. Coptic, the last stage of the ancient Egyptian language, is no longer spoken as a native language but remains the liturgical language of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Other minority languages in Egypt include Nubian languages, Bedawi, Siwi, and immigrant languages such as Greek and Armenian. English and French are also commonly spoken as second languages, especially among the educated and in urban areas
. In summary:
- Official language: Modern Standard Arabic (used in writing and formal contexts)
- Most spoken dialect: Egyptian Arabic (Masri), the vernacular spoken by the majority
- Liturgical language: Coptic (used in Coptic Christian religious contexts)
- Other languages: Nubian, Bedawi, Siwi, English, French, and immigrant languages
