Lower Sorbian language

Lower Sorbian is a West Slavic language spoken by a small minority in eastern Germany, primarily around Cottbus. It is one of two literary forms of the Sorbian language, the other being Upper Sorbian. The Sorbian languages are closely related and began to diverge around the 13th century, with their oldest written records dating to the 15th century.12

The Sorbian people are descendants of Slavic tribes who settled in the area between the Elbe and Oder rivers. Despite centuries of German assimilation, they have maintained their ethnic identity, language, literature, and customs. While all Sorbs today also speak German, both Upper and Lower Sorbian have been taught in schools in their regions since 1948.32