Belaruskaya

Belaruskaya, or Belarusian, is an East Slavic language spoken primarily in Belarus. It belongs to the East Slavic branch of the Indo-European language family and is closely related to Russian and Ukrainian, though it has distinct phonology, vocabulary, and grammar. It is one of the official languages of Belarus, used in education, media, and some government functions alongside Russian.

The language is written with the Cyrillic alphabet and includes several unique letters and sounds. Historically, a Latin-based orthography known as Lacinka was used in some contexts. In the 20th century a Cyrillic standard established in 1933 became dominant, while another form called Tarashkevitsa (Tarashkevich) persisted among supporters of a more conservative spelling reform. Since Belarus gained independence, both Tarashkevitsa and the official modern orthography have circulated, and some texts appear in Latin transliteration.

Belaruskaya has a long literary history dating back to the 16th century, with notable early works by authors such as Francysk Skaryna. It features several dialects, generally grouped into northern and southern varieties, influenced over time by Polish, Russian, and Church Slavonic due to historical contact. In contemporary Belarus, Russian is widely used in public life, while Belarusian media, education, and cultural initiatives have contributed to renewed use and visibility of the language.

Today, Belaruskaya serves as a key marker of national identity for many Belarusians. Efforts to promote its use continue in schools, broadcasting, publishing, and cultural organizations, alongside ongoing bilingualism in everyday communication.