Languages of Yugoslavia

(Redirected from Yugoslav language)

Languages of Yugoslavia are all languages spoken in former Yugoslavia. They are mainly Indo-European languages and dialects, namely dominant South Slavic varieties (Serbo-Croatian, Macedonian, and Slovene) as well as Albanian, Aromanian, Bulgarian, Czech, German, Italian, Venetian, Balkan Romani, Romanian, Pannonian Rusyn, Slovak and Ukrainian languages. There are also pockets where varieties of non-Indo-European languages, such as those of Hungarian and Turkish, are spoken.

Languages of Yugoslavia
Semi-officialSerbo-Croatian, Macedonian, Slovene
RegionalAlbanian
MinorityAromanian, Bulgarian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Italian, Venetian, Romani, Romanian, Pannonian Rusyn, Slovak, Turkish, Ukrainian
ForeignRussian, English, French

Language policies in Yugoslavia edit

From 1966, linguistic and ethnic divisions were part of the public discussion in Yugoslavia. Language policies were delegated to the communal level. Language situation was reflected in each republic's constitution, and more detailed in communal constitutions.[1]

Yugoslavia established its language policies at the federal, republic, and communal levels.

Federal language policy was drafted by the following four principles:[1]

  1. Domestic measures were the basis of language policy.
  2. Special measures were required. Guaranteeing "equal rights" for all ethnic groups was insufficient.
  3. Integration of all nations and nationalities depends upon the ability of the politico-administrative structure to provide mechanisms of expression.
  4. Each nation and nationality should have a direct voice in determining specific measures.

List of languages in Yugoslavia edit

This is a list of the languages of the former country of Yugoslavia:

Official languages at a republican level edit

Official minority languages edit

Various minority languages were used officially at various sub-federal levels:

Non-official minority languages edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b TOLLEFSON, JAMES W. (1980). "Language Policy and National Stability in Yugoslavia". Canadian Slavonic Papers / Revue Canadienne des Slavistes. 22 (4): 506–517. doi:10.1080/00085006.1980.11091645. ISSN 0008-5006. JSTOR 40870538.
  2. ^ "Romani writers and the legacies of Yugoslavia". Baltic Worlds. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2022.