Bosnian language

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Azbuka BH

File:WIKITONGUES- Mirela speaking Bosnian.webm

RacsunBosanskiJezik1827

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Gramatika bosanskog jezika

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Political correctness in Bosnia (14151146675)

Bosnian language is a South Slavic language spoken primarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Sandžak region of Serbia and Montenegro. It is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with Croatian and Serbian, and also has official status in the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Bosnian language uses both the Latin alphabet and Cyrillic alphabet, with Latin in predominant use.

History

The Bosnian language, like its Serbo-Croatian counterparts, evolved from the Shtokavian dialect, which was the basis for the formation of the standard languages of Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, and Montenegrin. The distinct identity of the Bosnian language emerged in the medieval period, with historical documents suggesting its use as early as the 10th century. The most notable medieval Bosnian document is the Charter of Ban Kulin, written in 1189, which is considered one of the oldest preserved monuments of the Bosnian language.

Classification and Linguistic Features

Bosnian is classified within the Western group of the South Slavic branch of the Indo-European languages. It shares many features with other languages of the former Yugoslavia, particularly Serbian, Croatian, and Montenegrin. Linguistic features include a complex system of noun declensions, seven grammatical cases, and a verb conjugation system that expresses tense, mood, and aspect.

Alphabet and Pronunciation

The Bosnian language uses both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, with a preference for Latin script in contemporary usage. The alphabet includes several letters not found in the English alphabet, such as č, ć, đ, š, and ž, which represent specific Slavic sounds. Pronunciation in Bosnian is largely phonetic, meaning that words are generally pronounced as they are spelled.

Vocabulary

The vocabulary of the Bosnian language is largely derived from Slavic roots, with a significant number of words borrowed from Turkish, Arabic, and Persian due to the historical influence of the Ottoman Empire in the region. Additionally, there are borrowings from German, Italian, and Hungarian, reflecting the complex historical interactions within the region.

Status and Standardization

The Bosnian language has been the subject of political and linguistic debate, particularly regarding its distinction from Croatian and Serbian. Efforts to standardize the Bosnian language have been ongoing since the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, with the establishment of the Institute for the Bosnian Language in Sarajevo. The Bosnian language is taught in schools throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and is used in official government and legal documents.

Dialects

The main dialect spoken in the Bosnian language is Shtokavian, which is also the basis for Croatian, Serbian, and Montenegrin. Within Shtokavian, there are several subdialects, including Ijekavian, which is used in the standard Bosnian language.

Cultural Significance

The Bosnian language holds significant cultural importance for the Bosniak population, serving as a marker of ethnic and national identity. Literature, poetry, and music in the Bosnian language have played a crucial role in the development of Bosniak culture and heritage.

Conclusion

The Bosnian language is a vital component of the cultural and national identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its development and standardization continue to be subjects of academic and political interest, reflecting the complex history and diversity of the region.