Czechia

Summary

Official Name: Czech Republic
Population: 10,705,000
Principal Languages: Czech
Literacy Rate: 100% (2016 UNESCO)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ECRML (1992), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987
Deaf Population: 63,000
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Czechia is 13. Of these, 12 are living and 1 is extinct. Of the living languages, 5 are indigenous and 7 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 7 are developing, 2 are vigorous, and 1 is in trouble. Also listed are 12 unestablished languages.

Languages

Bavarian bar: Karlovy Vary and Plzen regions; Vysocina region: Jihlavsky. Users: 9,000 in Czechia (2005). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Bavarian Austrian, Bayerisch, Boarisch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Bavarian-Austrian
Bulgarian bul: Users: 5,410 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Croatian hrv: Users: 1,390 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Czech ces: Widespread. Users: 10,532,000 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 10,400,000 in Czechia (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 132,000 (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 13,415,490 (as L1: 10,733,490; as L2: 2,682,000). Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Alternate Names: Bohemian Autonym: Český jazyk, Čeština Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Czech Sign Language cse: Scattered. Users: 10,000 (2019 EUD). EUD estimate is of deaf sign language users (about 0.1% of the total population). Other estimates: 12,000 (2011 census); 51,500 deaf (2014 IMB). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1998, Zákon o komunikačních systémech neslyšících a hluchoslepých osob (Law on communication systems of deaf and deafblind persons) 155/1998, Article 4, as amended 384/2008, Part One). Alternate Names: CZJ, Český Znakový Jazyk Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
English eng: Users: 2,907,200 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 7,200 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 2,900,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Angličtina Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Users: 235,060 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 2,060 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 233,000 (Marcoux et al 2022). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
German, Standard deu: Karlovy Vary and Ústí nad Labem regions; Erzgebirge mountain range. Users: 1,624,100 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 14,100 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 1,610,000 (2020). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). Alternate Names: Deutsch, Němec Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell: Users: 1,360 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Hungarian hun: Users: 11,500 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic
Italian ita: Users: 1,420 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Knaanic czk: Users: No known L1 speakers in Czechia. Last speaker died in the Late Middle Ages (1250–1500). Total users in all countries: none known. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Canaanic, Judaeo-Czech, Judeo-Slavic, Leshon Knaan Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Mongolian, Halh khk: Users: 3,330 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Mongolic, Eastern, Oirat-Khalkha, Khalkha-Buriat, Mongolian Proper
Polish pol: Moravia-Silesia region: eastern Frydek-Mistek; Karviná district. Users: 33,600 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). Alternate Names: Polština Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Romani, Carpathian rmc: Scattered. Users: 32,300 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). Alternate Names: Bashaldo, Hungarian-Slovak Romani, Karpacki Roma, Romanes, Romungro, Servika Roma, Slovak Roma Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern
Romani, Vlax rmy: Scattered. Users: 8,070 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). Alternate Names: Vlaxika Roma Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron: Users: 4,920 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 2,000,000 in Czechia (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 31,600 (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Rusyn rue: Hlavni Mesto; Prague area. Users: 780 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). Alternate Names: Carpathian, Carpatho-Rusyn, Ruthenian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Serbian srp: Users: 1,930 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Silesian, Lower sli: Moravia-Silesia and Olomouc regions. Users: 10,900 in Czechia (2001 census). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Upper Schlesisch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Slovak slk: Major cities. Users: 1,854,000 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 154,000 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 1,700,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). Alternate Names: Slovenčina, Slovenský Jazyk Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Spanish spa: Users: 39,220 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 1,920 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 37,300 (Instituto Cervantes 2019). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 48,300 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Vietnamese vie: Users: 30,800 in Czechia (2011 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Vietnamese

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Czech

[ces] 1 (National). De facto national language. 10,532,000 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 10,400,000 in Czechia (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 132,000 (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 13,415,490 (as L1: 10,733,490; as L2: 2,682,000).

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 2,907,200 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 7,200 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 2,900,000 (European Commission 2012).

5 (Dispersed)

French

[fra] 5* (Dispersed). 235,060 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 2,060 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 233,000 (Marcoux et al 2022).

German, Standard

[deu] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). 1,624,100 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 14,100 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 1,610,000 (2020).

Polish

[pol] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). 33,600 in Czechia (2011 census).

Romani, Vlax

[rmy] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). 8,070 in Czechia (2011 census).

Slovak

[slk] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). 1,854,000 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 154,000 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 1,700,000 (European Commission 2012).

5 (Developing)

Bavarian

[bar] 5* (Developing). 9,000 in Czechia (2005).

Czech Sign Language

[cse] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1998, Zákon o komunikačních systémech neslyšících a hluchoslepých osob (Law on communication systems of deaf and deafblind persons) 155/1998, Article 4, as amended 384/2008, Part One). 10,000 (2019 EUD). EUD estimate is of deaf sign language users (about 0.1% of the total population). Other estimates: 12,000 (2011 census); 51,500 deaf (2014 IMB).

6a (Vigorous)

Rusyn

[rue] 6a* (Vigorous). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). 780 in Czechia (2011 census).

Silesian, Lower

[sli] 6a* (Vigorous). 10,900 in Czechia (2001 census).

6b (Threatened)

Romani, Carpathian

[rmc] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2). 32,300 in Czechia (2011 census).

10 (Extinct)

Knaanic

[czk] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers in Czechia. Last speaker died in the Late Middle Ages (1250–1500). Total users in all countries: none known.

Unestablished

Bulgarian

[bul] Unestablished. 5,410 in Czechia (2011 census).

Croatian

[hrv] Unestablished. 1,390 in Czechia (2011 census).

Greek

[ell] Unestablished. 1,360 in Czechia (2011 census).

Hungarian

[hun] Unestablished. 11,500 in Czechia (2011 census).

Italian

[ita] Unestablished. 1,420 in Czechia (2011 census).

Mongolian, Halh

[khk] Unestablished. 3,330 in Czechia (2011 census).

Romanian

[ron] Unestablished. 4,920 in Czechia (2011 census).

Russian

[rus] Unestablished. 2,000,000 in Czechia (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 31,600 (2011 census).

Serbian

[srp] Unestablished. 1,930 in Czechia (2011 census).

Spanish

[spa] Unestablished. 39,220 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 1,920 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 37,300 (Instituto Cervantes 2019).

Ukrainian

[ukr] Unestablished. 48,300 in Czechia (2011 census).

Vietnamese

[vie] Unestablished. 30,800 in Czechia (2011 census).

Maps

Czechia

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Czechia with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Czechia 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 Czechia with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Czechia 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 Czechia 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 Czechia ($149.95, 21 page PDF)

Czechia

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Czechia

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action