In Spain, alongside Castilian, Catalan, Basque, and Galician, a remarkable linguistic richness exists, including lesser-known dialects and minority languages. Among these is Fala, a Romance language spoken exclusively in three villages: San Martín de Trevijo, Eljas, and Valverde del Fresno in the Valle del Jálama, Extremadura.
Fala is spoken by approximately 6,000 individuals and is primarily influenced by Galician and Portuguese, making it challenging to distinguish. The origins of Fala remain unclear; however, the earliest references date back to 1844 when the Madoz Dictionary noted, "Its inhabitants use an unintelligible dialect, formed by adulterated words." Historians suggest its roots trace back to the time when Galician and Leonese repopulators settled in the region.
Fala, also known as xalimegu, mañegu, chapurráu, lagarteiru, or valverdeiru, has evolved into a crucial aspect of cultural identity. Recent years have seen initiatives aimed at raising awareness and preserving this minority language.
In 1992, the Fala i Cultura association was established to create a common grammar based on Galician. The annual celebration of u día da nosa fala ("day of our speech") began in 1992 in Eljas, followed by Valverde in 1993 and San Martín in 1994. Six years later, Isabel López Lajas published the first work in Fala titled Seis sainetes valverdeiros.
In 2001, the Junta de Extremadura recognized Fala as a Bien de Interés Cultural, coinciding with the publication of the first Fala dictionary, which includes over 13,000 entries. Fala represents not just a language but a symbol of cultural resilience, maintained by three villages for centuries amidst modern challenges.