If you’re thinking about taking a beach vacation in Spain, are you unsure about Majorca or Mallorca? Maybe you’re wondering how to say the name of the island correctly or how to spell it correctly so you don’t appear like a tourist!
Caleb and I, Taylor, are here to answer any concerns you may have regarding the distinctions between Majorca and Mallorca because we want to make sure you respect the culture and don’t feel stupid! I can honestly say that after spending a week on the stunning island of Majorca, we left our hearts there. It is worth a visit! We learned a lot about the locals’ cultures from the time we spent talking with them.
No matter how long you stay, Mallorca has plenty to offer everyone, even couples looking to relax on the beach, swim in the warm, blue Mediterranean Sea, or walk up the stunning Serra de Tramuntana! Let’s get started by comparing Mallorca with Majorca using a small pronunciation guide I made just for you!
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Too Long Didn’t Read: The Key Points
Since all you want to know is which is accurate, I know you’re busy and don’t have time to read 1000 pages about Majorca or Mallorca, so here’s the cliff notes version:
- Majorca and Mallorca are two different spellings for the same place in Spain’s Balearic Islands.
- Mallorca is the correct Spanish spelling, whereas Majorca is the UK spelling.
- To avoid seeming like a tourist, make sure you spell the name “Mallorca” correctly.
- The name is derived from Rome’s capture of the island in 123 BC.
To find out more about spelling variations and how to show respect for Mallorcan customs, keep reading.
Is Mallorca and Majorca the same location?
Mallorca is located in the same region as Majorca. In this instance, the spelling of the island’s name matters more than its actual location. While British travelers often spell the island “Majorca” with a J, American travelers refer to it as “Mallorca” with two ll.
It is noteworthy that the Spanish name and spelling of the island are “Mallorca” with two ll.
Is Mallorca Or Majorca Correct?
Which is it, Majorca or Mallorca? It makes sense that the Spanish name is suitable since we’re discussing an island in Spain. Whatever your point of departure, the island’s name should be spelled “Mallorca.”
What Do Spaniards Call Mallorca?
Many travelers believe that “Majorca” is Spanish and “Mallorca” is Catalan, and that is the sole distinction between the two spellings. This is untrue.
In Catalan, Spanish, and the Mallorquin dialect spoken on the island, the word “Mallorquin” is spelled with twos. The Spanish therefore refer to the island as “Mallorca.”
Why Is This Important – Do Not Be An Unattractive Tourist
“Well, if it sounds the same, why does it matter whether I call it Majorca or Mallorca?” you may be asking yourself. If you don’t care about honoring the cultures you visit—which I don’t think is the case—then it doesn’t matter. Either way, you spell it, people will get what you mean.
On the other side, the locals want tourists to go because they believe the island is already overrun. “Tourists go home” was written on banners that we saw dangling from balconies all across Palma (see below).
On the other side, the locals want tourists to go because they believe the island is already overrun. “Tourists go home” was written on banners that we saw dangling from balconies all across Palma (see below).
We spent the whole day with a Mallorcan native when we went to Banyalbufar for a paella-making class. It was distressing to hear the way Mallorcans saw foreigners, as she was explaining to us.
Locals claim that tourists only connect Mallorca with Spain’s sun, sand, and drinking. With no regard for the people, culture, or land, the locals just want to consume the food of their own culture and grab everything they can from the island. Carry on spelling “Mallorca”.
Locals claim that tourists only connect Mallorca with Spain’s sun, sand, and drinking. With no regard for the people, culture, or land, the locals just want to consume the food of their own culture and grab everything they can from the island. Perpetuating the spelling of “Mallorca” with a J reinforces locals’ beliefs that guests are impolite and avaricious. Bad.
Thus, please try not to be a bothersome traveler. Just become comfortable pronouncing and spelling the double l. It’s the easiest way to stay out of Mallorca’s awful tourist mess.
Majorca and Mallorca Pronunciation
Whatever spelling, Mallorca is pronounced the same way. It should be pronounced MAH-YOUR-KAH. This website’s header includes a little pronunciation video and an image of Llucmajor, Mallorca’s stunning Mediterranean Sea!
Where Did the Name Mallorca Originate?
Now that you know it’s not merely a matter of two different spellings in two different languages, we need to know where the name originates. Let’s take a time machine ride back in time to 123 BC.
The island was reached during this period by the Romans, who named it “Insula Maior,” which translates to “larger Island” in Latin. Because it was the largest island in the Balearics, Mallorca got its name.
After comparing the island to the little island of Menorca, the name was changed to “Maiorca,” which translates to “larger one.” The spelling was ultimately corrected in the sequel by Catalan authors.
But because the early British settlers couldn’t pronounce the double-l in “Mallorca,” which is a “y” sound, they changed the name to “Majorca”. Since then, “Majorca” has been the most often used spelling in the UK; however, Mallorca is becoming more and more well-known.
The letter J is used by certain individuals in the US, but it is not as common as it is in the UK.
In Mallorca, What Languages Are Spoken?
While exploring Mallorca, we were taken aback by the sheer number of languages we encountered. The two official languages of the island are Catalan Spanish, which is most often used along the Costa Brava and is a mix between Castilian Spanish and a dialect of French spoken in Southen Farce, and Castilian Spanish, a variation of Spanish used in Central and Northern Spain.
There will be signs in Catalan and English when driving or going through the airport, so don’t worry!
Locals will converse in Mallorquin, which is their mother tongue. English is widely spoken among those who work in the tourism industry, such as in hotels and restaurants, as a result of tourism.
Instead of speaking Castilian Spanish, we did our best to speak traditional Spanish and got along great with English! Google Translate is always there, in case all else fails.
Conclusion
Is the place the same, Majorca or Mallorca, should I say? We’ve investigated the history of the island’s name and the reasons it’s crucial to correctly spell Mallorca while traveling to this breathtaking location.
“Is Mallorca the same as Majorca?” is a question we hope you’re ready to address. And eagerly anticipate your next trip to Spain!