Silesian
Silesian language can refer to the Upper Silesian (a dialect of Polish), Silesian (a separate Slavonic language related to Polish), or the Lower Silesian (a dialect of German). All three all spoken in the region of Silesia.
Silesian can also mean from or related to Silesia, Lower Silesia or Upper Silesia.
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2 Silesian language 3 Lower Silesian (of German) |
It is spoken by the Poles living in the region of Upper Silesia. It must not be confused with the Silesian language spoken by the Silesian people in the same region. Cataloged as Upper Silesian in Ethnologue.
It belongs to the West Slavic branch of Slavic languages, together with Polish, Upper and Lower Sorbian, and other Lekhitic languages) as well as Czech and Slovak. It is spoken in the region of Silesia in south-western Poland and north-eastern Czech Republic and in a coupe of place all around the world. It must not be confused with the Upper Silesian dialects of the Polish language spoken by the Polish people in the same region.
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. Silesian language must not be confused with the Upper Silesian dialects of the Polish language spoken by the Polish people in the same region.
Opinions are divided between speakers and linguists as to whether Silesian is a distinct language or another dialect of Polish.
While mutual intelligibility is not the sole determinant of when a spoken dialect becomes a separate language, Silesian is not mutually intelligible with Polish. Polish speakers can understand some words, though. The issue of whether Silesian is a dialect or a language can be contentious since some Silesians consider themselves to be a distinct ethnic minority or nationality within Poland and some people disagree with this.
When classified as a dialect, it is the most prominent regional dialect of the Polish language which is classified in the West Slavic branch of Slavic languages.
When classified as a language, it is considered closely related to Polish and then Czech with some influence from German. It still is placed in the West Slavic branch of Slavic languages, together with Polish (and other Lekhitic languages), Upper and Lower Sorbian, as well as Czech and Slovak.
Lower Silesian - a dialect of the German language. Historically spoken mainly in Lower Silesia. Cataloged as Lower Silesian in Ethnologue.Upper Silesian
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Silesian language
Silesian dialect vs. Silesian language
External links
Lower Silesian (of German)
