Languages of Yugoslavia

Yugoslavian languages or languages of Yugoslavia are the languages spoken in the former Yugoslav states. They are mainly Indo-European languages and dialects, namely dominant South Slavic varieties (Serbo-Croatian, Slovene and Macedonian) as well as Albanian, Aromanian, Bulgarian, Czech, German, Italian, Venetian, Balkan Romani, Romanian, 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 a federal, republic, and communal level.

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[]

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

Western South Slavic languages

• Serbo-Croato-Slovenian, constructed official standard of Kingdom of Yugoslavia
  • Serbo-Croatian, pluricentric language and dialect continuum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, split into four standard variants used in respective countries after breakup of Yugoslavia:
    • Bosnian language
    • Croatian language
    • Montenegrin language
    • Serbian language
  • Slovene language, language of Slovenia

Albanian, Eastern South Slavic languages, Balkan Turkish and Balkan Romani

• Macedonian language, language of North Macedonia (previously Macedonia)
• Balkan Gagauz Turkish, language of North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sandžak.
• Balkan Romani, language of North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia.
• Albanian language, co-official language in Kosovo (Autonomous Province of Kosovo as part of Yugoslavia)
• Pannonian Rusyn, an East Slavic language spoken by the Pannonian Rusyns, in north-western Serbia (Bačka and Syrmia regions) and eastern Croatia (Syrmia)

See also[]

• Yugoslav Sign Language, a deaf sign language based on Serbo-Croatian
• Languages of the Soviet Union

References[]

Index of articles associated with the same name

This article includes a list of related items that share the same name (or similar names).
If an incorrectly led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.