Bosanski

Bosanski is an adjective meaning “Bosnian” in the Bosnian language, and it also refers to the standardized Bosnian language itself. Bosnian is one of the standard varieties of the Serbo-Croatian language continuum, spoken primarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The language is part of the South Slavic group of languages and is closely related to Croatian and Serbian, with mutual intelligibility among the three standard varieties, each with its own norms and vocabulary.

The Bosnian standard is based mainly on the Shtokavian dialect and uses the Ijekavian reflex for most common vowels. It employs Latin script as its primary writing system, which is predominant in education, media, and public life. Cyrillic script has historical usage and remains in occasional use among some communities, particularly where Serb cultural influence is strong. Orthographic conventions have evolved since the 19th century and were standardized further after the breakup of Yugoslavia, aligning with contemporary Bosnian norms.

Vocabulary in Bosnian reflects historical contact with Ottoman, Turkish, Arabic, and Persian influences, alongside later German and English loanwords from modernization and globalization. Phonology and grammar share many features with Croatian and Serbian varieties, while the standard Bosnian lexicon includes distinct terms and spellings that emphasize Bosnian norms.

Official status: Bosnian is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside Croatian and Serbian, with equal recognition in the country’s multilingual political framework. The term “Bosanski” also appears in literature, education, and public discourse to designate topics, poetry, and discourse pertaining to Bosnia and its population.