Languages of Yugoslavia
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| Languages of Yugoslavia | |
|---|---|
| Semi-official | Serbo-Croatian, Macedonian, Slovene |
| Regional | Albanian |
| Minority | Aromanian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Italian, Venetian, Romani, Romanian, Pannonian Rusyn, Slovak, Turkish, Ukrainian |
| Foreign | Russian, English, French |
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, Czech, German, Italian, Venetian, Balkan Romani, Romanian, Pannonian Rusyn, Slovak and Ukrainian languages. There are also pockets where non-Indo-European languages such as Hungarian, Turkish, etc. varieties are spoken.
Language policies in Yugoslavia
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]
- Domestic measures were the basis of language policy.
- Special measures were required. Guaranteeing "equal rights" for all ethnic groups was insufficient.
- Integration of all nations and nationalities depends upon the ability of the politico-administrative structure to provide mechanisms of expression.
- Each nation and nationality should have a direct voice in determining specific measures.
List of languages in Yugoslavia
This is a list of the languages of the former country of Yugoslavia:
Official languages at a republican level
- Serbo-Croatian, pluricentric language and dialect continuum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, split into four national standard varieties used in respective countries after the breakup of Yugoslavia: Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin and Serbian.
- Slovene language, language of Slovenia
- Macedonian language, language of North Macedonia (previously Macedonia)
Official minority languages
Various minority had official usage at various sub-federal levels:
- In SAP Vojvodina, there were four minority languages in official use:
- In SAP Kosovo, Albanian was used in official use.
- At a municipal level, following languages were in official use:
- Albanian, in parts of SR Macedonia and SR Montenegro;
- Bulgarian, in parts of SR Serbia;
- Czech, in parts of SAP Vojvodina and SR Croatia;
- German, in parts of SR Croatia and SR Slovenia;
- Hungarian, in parts of SR Slovenia and SR Croatia;
- Italian, in parts of SR Slovenia and SR Croatia;
- Pannonian Rusyn, in parts of SR Croatia;
- Slovak, in parts of SR Croatia and SR Slovenia;
- Turkish, in parts of SAP Kosovo and SR Macedonia;
- Ukrainian, in parts of SR Croatia.
Non-official minority languages
- Following minority languages were spoken, but did not have any official use:
- Balkan Gagauz Turkish, spoken by Turkish people in SAP Kosovo and SR Macedonia;
- Romani, throughout the country;[2]
- Romanian, in parts of SR Serbia (Timok Valley).
See also
- Yugoslav Sign Language, a deaf sign language based on Serbo-Croatian
- Languages of the Soviet Union
References
- ^ a b TOLLEFSON, JAMES W. (1980). "Language Policy and National Stability in Yugoslavia". Canadian Slavonic Papers / Revue Canadienne des Slavistes. 22 (4): 506–517. ISSN 0008-5006.
- ^ "Romani writers and the legacies of Yugoslavia". Baltic Worlds. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
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