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Ostrogothic
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Ostrogothic

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The Ostrogothic language was an extinct East Germanic language spoken by the Goths. The Goths originated in southern Scandinavia and migrated to Eastern Europe, eventually settling in southern and southwestern Europe. Ostrogothic was one of the two main dialects of the Gothic language, the other being Visigothic.1

The Gothic language is significant for the study of Germanic languages because its written records predate those of other Germanic languages by about four centuries. Most of our knowledge of Gothic comes from a 4th-century Bible translation by Ulfilas, intended for the Visigoths. Surviving manuscripts, likely copied in Italy during Ostrogothic rule (493–554 CE), provide insights into the language.1

Ostrogothic, along with other East Germanic languages like Gepidic, Rugian, Burgundian, and Vandalic, is known primarily through recorded names in historical writings. The Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy fell in the 6th century, and the language likely died out among them around that time.213

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. Gothic language
  2. East Germanic languages
  3. history of Germany - The migration period
  4. Ostrogoth

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