Lithuanian

Lithuanian (lietuvių kalba)

Lithuanian is a Baltic language related to Latvian and Old Prussian
with about 3.2 million speakers in Lithuania. There are also Lithuanian
speakers in Poland, the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, the UK and Uruguay.

Lithuanian first appeared in print in the form of a catechism in 1547.
The first Lithuanian dictionary was printed during the 17th century.
Between 1864 and 1904 the printing and teaching of Lithuanian was banned
– Russian, Polish, Belorussian or Latin had to be used instead.
After this ban was lifted in 1904, there was a resurgence of Lithuanian
literature.

Lithuanian at a glance

  • Native name: lietuvių kalba
  • Linguistic affliation: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Eastern Baltic
  • Number of speakers: c. 3.2 million
  • Spoken in: mainly Lithuania and Poland
  • First written: 1547
  • Writing system: Latin alphabet
  • Status: state language of Lithuania
  • Categoria dell'articolo:Lingue
  • Tempo di lettura:1 minuti di lettura