Upper Sorbian language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Sorbian |
||
|---|---|---|
| Hornjoserbšćina, Hornjoserbsce | ||
| Native to | Germany | |
| Region | Saxony, Brandenburg | |
| Ethnicity | Sorbs | |
| Native speakers | 13,000 (2007)e18 | |
| Language family |
Indo-European
|
|
| Writing system | Latin (Sorbian alphabet) | |
| Official status | ||
| Official language in | Regional language in Brandenburg and Saxony. Lost support after the reunification of Germany, with many Sorbian schools closing. | |
| Linguasphere | 53-AAA-bb < 53-AAA-b < 53-AAA-b...-d (varieties: 53-AAA-bba to 53-AAA-bbf) | |
| Template:Infobox language/ipa
|
||
Upper Sorbian (Hornjoserbšćina) is a West Slavic language. It is spoken by the Sorb people in Germany. The language is mainly spoken in the region of Upper Lusatia. Today, this area is mostly part of the German state of Saxony.
Around 40,000 people speak Upper Sorbian in Saxony. It is considered a minority language in Germany. This means it is a language spoken by a smaller group of people compared to the main language, German. Its status is protected by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Contents
Where is Upper Sorbian Spoken?
Upper Sorbian is spoken in a special part of Germany called Lusatia. This area is in the eastern part of Germany, near the borders with Poland and the Czech Republic. The Sorb people have lived here for a very long time. They have kept their language and culture alive for centuries.
The region of Lusatia is divided into two main parts: Upper Lusatia and Lower Lusatia. Upper Sorbian is spoken in Upper Lusatia. Lower Sorbian, a different but related language, is spoken in Lower Lusatia.
Who are the Sorb People?
The Sorbs are a Slavic group living in Germany. They are one of the four officially recognized national minorities in Germany. The other groups are the Danes, the Frisians, and the Romani people. The Sorbs have their own unique traditions, folk costumes, and festivals. They are proud of their heritage and work to keep it alive.
Protecting the Sorbian Language
Because Upper Sorbian is a minority language, it needs special protection. The German government and the state of Saxony support the Sorbian language and culture. This support helps keep the language from disappearing. For example, there are Sorbian schools and kindergartens. There are also Sorbian newspapers, radio programs, and TV shows. These efforts help young Sorbs learn and use their language.
However, after Germany was reunified in 1990, some Sorbian schools closed. This made it harder for the language to grow. Still, many people are working hard to make sure Upper Sorbian continues to be spoken by future generations.
Language Family Tree
Upper Sorbian belongs to the Slavic family of languages. This family is part of the larger Indo-European language group. Slavic languages are spoken across Eastern Europe and parts of Central Europe.
Within the Slavic family, Upper Sorbian is a West Slavic language. Other West Slavic languages include Polish, Czech, and Slovak. This means they share many similarities in their grammar and vocabulary. It's like how English and German are both Germanic languages.
Images for kids
-
A bilingual sign in Germany; German in first place and Upper Sorbian in second
See also
In Spanish: Idioma alto sorabo para niños
