Bulgaria

Summary

Official Name: Republic of Bulgaria
Population: 6,845,000
Principal Languages: Bulgarian
Literacy Rate: 98% (2015 World Factbook)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987
Deaf Population: 533,500
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Bulgaria is 16. All are living languages. Of these, 4 are indigenous and 12 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 9 are developing, 2 are vigorous, 2 are in trouble, and 1 is dying. Also listed are 8 unestablished languages.

Languages

Albanian, Gheg aln: Users: 1,000 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Gheg
Armenian, Western hyw: Major cities. Users: 5,620 in Bulgaria (2011 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Classification: Indo-European, Armenian
Aromanian rup: Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil provinces; Pazardzhit province: Peshtera, Rakitovo, and Velingrad municipalities. Users: 9,800 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). De facto language of provincial identity in Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Sofia, Sofia Capital, Stanamaka, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo and Vidin provinces. Alternate Names: Armani, Armina, Armini, Arumanian, Macedo, Macedo-Rumanian, Romanian Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Balkan Gagauz Turkish bgx: Silistra province: Dulova municipality, near Isperih town. Deli Orman area (Gajal dialect). Status: 7 (Shifting). Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Bulgarian bul: Users: 6,840,000 in Bulgaria (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 8,303,210. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 3). Autonym: български език‎ (bălgarski ezik) Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Bulgarian Sign Language bqn: Scattered. Users: 21,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 14,000–28,000, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the total population. Other estimates: 37,000 (2014 IMB), 50,000 (2019 EUD). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Balgarski žestomimičen ezik, BŽE Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Chinese, Mandarin cmn: Users: 1,900 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Crimean Tatar crh: Dobrich province: Krushari municipality. Users: 1,370 in Bulgaria (2011 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Crimean, Crimean Turkish, Qırım Türkçesi, Qirim, Qirimtatar Classification: Turkic, Southern
Czech ces: Users: 9,000 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
English eng: Users: 1,742,500 in Bulgaria, all users. L1 users: 2,500 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 1,740,000 (2020). Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Users: 157,000 in Bulgaria (Marcoux et al 2022), L2 users. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Gagauz gag: Dobrich province: Dobrich and Krusheri municipalities; Silistra province: Atafar and Kaybardzha municipalities; Varna province: Aksakovo municipality. Users: 5,000 in Bulgaria (Salminen 2007). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Gagauz dili, Gagauzi, Gagauzça Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
German, Standard deu: Users: 557,000 in Bulgaria (2020), L2 users. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Deutsch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell: Users: 3,220 in Bulgaria (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Macedonian mkd: Blagoevgrad province: Blagoevgrad, Simitli, and Strumjani municipalities. Users: 1,400 in Bulgaria (2011 census). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Romani, Balkan rmn: Scattered near urban areas; Burgas, Gabrovo, Grad Sofiya, Sliven, and Sofiya provinces; Stara Zagora province: Kazanlak municipality. From Sofia to the Black Sea (Central dialect); central and northwest Bulgaria (Tinsmiths’ dialect); Sofia region (Arlija dialect); Sliven and Varna provinces (Drindari dialect). Users: 481,000 in Bulgaria, all users. L1 users: 281,000 in Bulgaria (2011 census). 100,000 Arlija, 20,000 Dzambazi, 10,000 Tinsmiths, 10,000 East Bulgarian. L2 users: 200,000 (Gunnemark and Kenrick 1985). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gypsy Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Balkan
Romani, Vlax rmy: Sofiya province: Ihtiman. Users: 1,830 in Bulgaria (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Rom Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron: Users: 5,520 in Bulgaria (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 1,675,800 in Bulgaria, all users. L1 users: 15,800 in Bulgaria (2011 census). L2 users: 1,660,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Spanish spa: Users: 128,000 in Bulgaria (2019), L2 users. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Turkish tur: Burgas province: Kameno, Malko Tarnovo, east Sredets, Sozopol, and Tsarevo municipalities; Khaskovo and Kurdzhali provinces; Smolyan province: Banite, Madan, and Nedelino municipalities; Stara Zagora and Yambol provinces: small border areas. Users: 606,000 in Bulgaria (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (1991, National Education Act , No. 86/18.10.1991), Allows mother-tongue education in primary grades 1–8 for Turkish speakers. Alternate Names: Osmanli, Turki, Türkçe Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 1,760 in Bulgaria (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Vietnamese vie: Users: 1,700 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Vietnamese
Yiddish, Eastern ydd: Scattered. Users: No known L1 speakers in Bulgaria. Ethnic population: 2,200 (2016 World Jewish Congress). Status: 9 (Dormant). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, Yiddish

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Bulgarian

[bul] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 3). 6,840,000 in Bulgaria (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 8,303,210.

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 1,742,500 in Bulgaria, all users. L1 users: 2,500 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 1,740,000 (2020).

5 (Dispersed)

French

[fra] 5* (Dispersed). 157,000 in Bulgaria (Marcoux et al 2022), L2 users.

German, Standard

[deu] 5* (Dispersed). 557,000 in Bulgaria (2020), L2 users.

Romani, Vlax

[rmy] 5* (Dispersed). 1,830 in Bulgaria (2011 census).

Russian

[rus] 5* (Dispersed). 1,675,800 in Bulgaria, all users. L1 users: 15,800 in Bulgaria (2011 census). L2 users: 1,660,000 (European Commission 2012).

Turkish

[tur] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (1991, National Education Act , No. 86/18.10.1991), Allows mother-tongue education in primary grades 1–8 for Turkish speakers. 606,000 in Bulgaria (2011 census).

5 (Developing)

Armenian, Western

[hyw] 5* (Developing). 5,620 in Bulgaria (2011 census).

Bulgarian Sign Language

[bqn] 5 (Developing). 21,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 14,000–28,000, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the total population. Other estimates: 37,000 (2014 IMB), 50,000 (2019 EUD).

Crimean Tatar

[crh] 5* (Developing). 1,370 in Bulgaria (2011 census).

Gagauz

[gag] 5* (Developing). 5,000 in Bulgaria (Salminen 2007).

6a (Vigorous)

Aromanian

[rup] 6a* (Vigorous). De facto language of provincial identity in Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Sofia, Sofia Capital, Stanamaka, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo and Vidin provinces. 9,800 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc).

Romani, Balkan

[rmn] 6a* (Vigorous). 481,000 in Bulgaria, all users. L1 users: 281,000 in Bulgaria (2011 census). 100,000 Arlija, 20,000 Dzambazi, 10,000 Tinsmiths, 10,000 East Bulgarian. L2 users: 200,000 (Gunnemark and Kenrick 1985).

6b (Threatened)

Macedonian

[mkd] 6b* (Threatened). 1,400 in Bulgaria (2011 census).

7 (Shifting)

Balkan Gagauz Turkish

[bgx] 7 (Shifting).

9 (Dormant)

Yiddish, Eastern

[ydd] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in Bulgaria. Ethnic population: 2,200 (2016 World Jewish Congress).

Unestablished

Albanian, Gheg

[aln] Unestablished. 1,000 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc).

Chinese, Mandarin

[cmn] Unestablished. 1,900 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc).

Czech

[ces] Unestablished. 9,000 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc).

Greek

[ell] Unestablished. 3,220 in Bulgaria (2011 census).

Romanian

[ron] Unestablished. 5,520 in Bulgaria (2011 census).

Spanish

[spa] Unestablished. 128,000 in Bulgaria (2019), L2 users.

Ukrainian

[ukr] Unestablished. 1,760 in Bulgaria (2011 census).

Vietnamese

[vie] Unestablished. 1,700 in Bulgaria (2016 J. Leclerc).

Maps

Bulgaria

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Bulgaria with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Bulgaria is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Bulgaria with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Bulgaria is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Bulgaria in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Bulgaria ($149.95, 25 page PDF)

Bulgaria

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Bulgaria

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action