Sorbianlanguage

Sorbian language refers to two closely related West Slavic languages spoken by the Sorbs in Lusatia, a region in eastern Germany. The two standard varieties are Upper Sorbian (Hornjoserbšćina) and Lower Sorbian (Dolnoserbšćina). They share historical roots in the same dialect continuum but are not fully mutually intelligible.

Upper Sorbian is concentrated in the Bautzen area of Saxony, while Lower Sorbian is spoken in the Spreewald and surrounding areas in Brandenburg and parts of Saxony. The languages use the Latin alphabet with diacritics; each variety has its own standard orthography and literary tradition dating back to the 16th–19th centuries.

As West Slavic languages, Sorbian is part of the same branch as Polish, Czech, and Slovak. Although closely related, the two standards function with limited mutual intelligibility in everyday speech.

In Germany, Sorbian languages have protected minority-language status under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. They are taught in some schools, used in local administration and public life in Lusatia, and featured in Sorbian-language media and cultural institutions. Bilingual signage and public broadcasts contribute to ongoing language transmission, alongside community-driven revival efforts.

The Sorbian languages are considered endangered in the broader linguistic landscape, but they remain an active part of Lusatian culture with continued use among speakers and ongoing revitalization programs.