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Sorbian

Sorbian German: is a language belonging to the Slavic group northwest of the family Indo-European languages. Language of the ancient Slavs of the Elbe , the Sorbs , established in the East of Germany in the sixth century, it is still spoken today in Lusatia , historical province straddling the Lnder of Saxony and Brandenburg , with some 45 000 people.

There are two written languages, each with several dialects:

  • Upper Sorbian (Hornjoserbsce) in Upper Lusatia (30 000 speakers);
  • Lower Sorbian (Dolnoserbski) in Lower Lusatia , threatened with extinction (10 000 speakers).

Also, 5000 Sorbs speak a dialect of transition between the upper and Lower Sorbian, commonly known by Sorbian.

Bilingual signs in German and Sorbian in Cottbus.

Sorbian is between the Czech and Polish and is written in Latin characters complemented by some signs diacritics. Upper Sorbian is phonetically close to the Czech Republic but has a lexicon related to Polish, while the Lower Sorbian in contrast is phonetically close to the Polish but uses a lexicon of the nearest Czech and German. It is a regional language in Germany , recognized by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The language is used on road signs in Lusatia.

Summary

/ / History

The first prince was known Sorbian Derwan. 631-632 Derwan joined in the alliance of King Samo fighting against the Avars and Franks. He was also the source of the first division of the Serbs. Indeed, his son, on behalf forgotten by history but called the White Prince of Serbia , led him to his application a part of the Serbian people toward the Byzantine Empire , therefore, the Balkans , following the request for help Emperor Heraclius on whose behalf they fought against the Avars.

It is really surprising that these two languages have survived over the centuries. The company was a company Sorbian well insulated. Divided into two religious communities that continue today, one Catholic and one Protestant. Sorbian differs from village to village. Catholic Lusatia strongly resisted the Germanic colonization.

Today

Upper Sorbian

Upper Sorbian still has a lot of dialects. Currently, there are three print media, very important, that spread Sorbian language and culture. The first is the journal Serbske Nowiny newspaper secularized. The second Katolski DOSAGE, who represents the newspaper of the Catholic community, and the last Pomhaj Bh, for and by the evangelical community. On TV and radio, there are programs in high-Sorbian language. Upper Sorbian should stay much longer in the family of modern European languages. First, because the language is spoken in institutions: Domowina (representing the interests of the Sorbian population), the Maica Serbska zt (Sorbian sciences company) or the Institute sorabistique in Leipzig. But also through the transmission of the language to children.

Lower Sorbian

Lower Sorbian is spoken by some 10,000 speakers (as mother tongue) and some young people. The Nowy Casnik is a newspaper in Lower Sorbian.

Grammatical Features

Declination has seven cases :

  • nominative
  • genitive
  • dative
  • accusative
  • instrumental
  • Rental
  • vocative

There are three numbers, namely the singular, dual and plural:

  • ruka: hand (singular)
  • Ruce: two hands (dual)
  • ruki: more than two hands (plural)

An old verb (preterite synthetic), disappeared in the other languages of the Western Slavic group was kept in the Upper Sorbian, but has virtually disappeared in Lower Sorbian, which has retained the hand supine.

Upper Sorbian is a particular language. It preserves ancient features of the old common language as the duel.

Example: Mj Smoje (dwaj) peelej. We are two (two) brothers.

dwaj Dubaj dwaj peelej dwaj dnjej dwe dwe pisani Zoni

Upper Sorbian is a remarkable example of a language that for centuries fought with the German language and which still exists. The translation of the Bible and the creation of a rich literature has enabled the high-Sorbian to persevere on the European stage. Currently, projects in kindergartens of Lusatia are introduced to preserve this great heritage. Lusatia is divided into regions called zupas. But these regions have no administrative or political. They exist only within the Union of Sorbian Domowina.

Miscellaneous

  • Code ISO 639 -2 of Sorbian: wen
    • Code ISO 639 -2 of Upper Sorbian: hsb
    • Code ISO 639 -2 of Lower Sorbian: dsb

See also

Internal Links

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