Upper Sorbian language
Quick Summary
Upper Sorbian is a West Slavic language spoken in eastern Germany, primarily around Bautzen. It is one of two surviving Sorbian languages, the other being Lower Sorbian, which are descendants of a medieval language group. While the two languages began to diverge around the 13th century, they primarily differ in their sound systems.12
Upper Sorbian experienced a period of prestige in Saxony, whereas Prussian authorities attempted to suppress Lower Sorbian. Although all Sorbian speakers also speak German, both Upper and Lower Sorbian have been taught in schools in their respective regions since 1948. The oldest written records of Sorbian date back to the 15th century.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Slavic languagesSorbianThere are two literary languages: Upper Sorbian, used around Bautzen (Budyšin), and Lower Sorbian, used around Cottbus.
Read MoreThere are two literary languages: Upper Sorbian, used around Bautzen (Budyšin), and Lower Sorbian, used around Cottbus.
Read More- Slavic languagesThe modern Slavic languages
…in some cultural performances, and Upper and Lower Sorbian are taught in local schools in eastern Germany. The extent of dialectal variation in the different languages ranges from a very great degree in Slovene to a much smaller degree in Polish and Russian. Radio and other mass media have been…
Read More…in some cultural performances, and Upper and Lower Sorbian are taught in local schools in eastern Germany. The extent of dialectal variation in the different languages ranges from a very great degree in Slovene to a much smaller degree in Polish and Russian. Radio and other mass media have been…
Read More