<P> There are many languages spoken on the Caribbean island of Aruba . The official language is Dutch and Papiamento, although schools require students to learn English, Spanish, French, and to a lesser extent, Portuguese which is also spoken on the island . According to the Government of Aruba the mother tongue and primary vernacular of almost all Arubans is a local language known as Papiamento, an Afro - Portuguese Creole language spoken since the 16th century . The language, however, was not widespread in Aruba till the 18th and 19th centuries when most materials on the island and even Roman Catholic schoolbooks were written in Papiamento . </P> <P> Dutch has been the official language of the island for years as the island is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands . Aruba has recognized English as an international language, and has required that children learn English as early as the 4th grade . Since May 2003 Papiamento has also been officially declared as the official language, alongside Dutch . Aruba's location off the coast of South America has also made Spanish extremely important . Students begin learning this as early as 5th grade . </P> <P> Papiamento is a language with roots mainly from Portuguese, and to a lesser extent, from Dutch, Spanish and English . It originated in the 16th century as a means of communication among slaves and slave drivers . </P>

What is the official language spoken in aruba