Silesian language: Difference between revisions
m moved Silesian to Silesian (Polish language): as per talk |
"gwara" is correct, not "dialekt" |
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:''This article is about the Polish dialect. For the German dialect, see [[Silesian German]]. For other uses see [[Silesian (disambiguation)]].'' |
:''This article is about the Polish dialect. For the German dialect, see [[Silesian German]]. For other uses see [[Silesian (disambiguation)]].'' |
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'''Silesian''' (Silesian: ''Ślůnsko godka'', {{lang-pl| |
'''Silesian''' (Silesian: ''Ślůnsko godka'', {{lang-pl|Gwara śląska}}) is considered either a [[dialect]] of [[Polish language|Polish]] or a separate [[language]] that is related to both [[Czech language|Czech]] and Polish. It is catalogued in [[Ethnologue]] as “Upper Silesian,” a dialect of Polish, and is spoken by the [[Silesians|Polish Silesians]] of [[Upper Silesia]]. |
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== Distribution == |
== Distribution == |
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Revision as of 20:13, 29 July 2007
| Silesian, Upper Silesian | |
|---|---|
| Ślunsko godka | |
| Native to | Poland, Czech Republic, Germany |
| Region | Upper Silesia |
Native speakers | 1 250 000 |
Indo-European
| |
| Official status | |
Official language in | - |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-2 | sla |
| ISO 639-3 | szl |
| ELP | Upper Silesian |
- This article is about the Polish dialect. For the German dialect, see Silesian German. For other uses see Silesian (disambiguation).
Silesian (Silesian: Ślůnsko godka, Template:Lang-pl) is considered either a dialect of Polish or a separate language that is related to both Czech and Polish. It is catalogued in Ethnologue as “Upper Silesian,” a dialect of Polish, and is spoken by the Polish Silesians of Upper Silesia.
Distribution
Most Slavic Silesian speakers currently live in the region of Upper Silesia, which is split between southwestern Poland and the northeastern Czech Republic. At present Silesian is commonly spoken in the area between historical border of Silesia on the east, and a line from Syców to Prudnik on the west, as well as in the Rawicz area (Khazaks). Until 1945 Silesian was also spoken in enclaves in Lower Silesia, as Silesian German was spoken by the ethnic German majority populace of that region at the time.
According to the last census in Poland (2002), some 70,000 people declared Silesian as their first language, and some 170,000 people declared Silesian nationality. However, the total number of Silesian speakers (the majority of whom do not consider it as a separate language) exceeds two million. There are also about 100,000 Silesian (Cieszyn Silesian) speakers living in the Czech Republic; Cieszyn Silesian is also commonly spoken in the Polish part of Cieszyn Silesia. 10,878 people in Czech Republic declared Silesian nationality. Aside from Poland and the Czech Republic, Silesian is also spoken in several other parts of the world, but most of then declare their mother tongue as Polish.
Dialect vs. language
Opinions are divided between speakers and linguists as to whether Silesian is a distinct language or another dialect of Polish. The issue can be contentious since some Silesians consider themselves to be a distinct ethnic minority or nationality within Poland and some other Silesians disagree with this.
When classified as a dialect, it is the most prominent regional dialect of the Polish language. When classified as a language, it is considered closely related to Polish and Czech with some influence from German.
See also
External links
- Pů našymu - djalykt ślůnski kodyfikowůny (in Silesian)
- Slonsko Lauba (in Silesian)
- Slonskie Beranie - dictionary of Silesian language (mirror)
- Klub Slonskie Beranie - A club of Silesian speakers (mirror)
- Slonski Servis (Polish, German)
- Ślonsk - country and people (Silesian, Polish, German)
- Ethnologue - Upper Silesian