At the 2025 African Football Fair in Abidjan, LALIGA and the Cervantes Institute, with support from the Embassy of Spain in Côte d’Ivoire and the Spanish Ministry of Education unveiled a first-of-its-kind Spanish–Dioula–Baoulé–Bété Football Dictionary, blending sport and language to foster cultural exchange. This pioneering project celebrates the power of sport as a vehicle for linguistic and cultural dialogue.
This unique dictionary aims to promote the learning of Spanish in Côte d’Ivoire, where Dioula, Baoulé, and Bété are widely spoken, by harnessing the popular passion for football and the global renown of LALIGA, its clubs and players.
The publication features a selection of key football terms, descriptions of clubs, stadiums, iconic players, competitions, and practical everyday expressions. All content is presented in Spanish, with translations into Dioula, Baoulé, and Bété, in a colourful, illustrated, and accessible format suitable for all audiences.
Ramata Thiam, LALIGA delegate in Côte d’Ivoire, said: “This dictionary is much more than a linguistic tool. It’s a bridge between cultures, a celebration of Côte d’Ivoire’s linguistic diversity, and a demonstration of football’s power as a driver of learning.”
The Cervantes Institute, founded in 1991 by the Spanish government, works to promote the Spanish language and culture around the world. Together with LALIGA, it has already launched similar dictionaries in several languages, including Arabic, Wolof, Chinese, and Hebrew, and has led educational initiatives across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
José Ignacio Villapadierna, Head of Aula Cervantes in Abidjan, said: “The Cervantes Institute is delighted to kick off this initiative alongside the Embassy of Spain in Côte d’Ivoire, LALIGA, and the Spanish Ministry of Education’s North Africa Education Office. Dear readers, you are the ‘referees’ of this match.”
The Embassy of Spain in Côte d’Ivoire played a key role in coordinating the project. The initiative also benefited from the support and collaboration of the Spanish Ministry of Education through its regional office in Morocco.
The dictionary will be distributed free of charge to Spanish departments at Ivorian universities, major public libraries and cultural centres, as well as to students and teachers within the education system. It is also available online in digital format for all those interested.
The Spanish–Dioula–Baoulé–Bété Football Dictionary can be downloaded for free here.
SOURCE: LALIGA CONTENTHUB
