Lithuania

Summary

Official Name: Republic of Lithuania
Population: 2,684,000
Principal Languages: Lithuanian
Literacy Rate: 100% (2015 World Factbook)
International Conventions: CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Campbell and King 2011
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Lithuania is 15. Of these, 13 are living and 2 are extinct. Of the living languages, 4 are indigenous and 9 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 3 are institutional, 8 are developing, and 2 are dying.

Languages

Belarusian bel: Vilniaus county: primarily Vilnius city; possibly scattered in Alytaus, Panevezio, and Utenos counties. Users: 7,110 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 39,200 (2015 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Belarusan Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
English eng: Users: 1,100,290 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 290 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 1,100,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Anglų Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Users: 62,500 in Lithuania (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
German, Standard deu: Users: 386,530 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 530 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 386,000 (2019). Ethnic population: 2,830 (2015 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Deutsch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Karaim kdr: Vilniaus county: Trakai district municipality; scattered in a few other places. Users: 75 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 270. Total users in all countries: 84. Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Lashon kedar, Turkic Karaite Autonym: Karaj Tili Classification: Turkic, Western, Ponto-Caspian
Latvian, Standard lvs: Users: 1,000 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 3,140 (2015 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Lithuanian lit: Widespread. Users: 2,540,000 in Lithuania (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 2,909,520. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1992, Constitution, Article 14). Alternate Names: Lietuviu, Litauische, Litewski, Litovskiy Autonym: Lietuviškai, Lietuvių kalba Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Lithuanian Sign Language lls: Scattered. Users: 8,000 (2021 EUD). Approximately 0.3% of total population. Another estimate: 14,500 (2014 IMB). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, Law on Education, No. XI-1281, Article 30(6), as amended). Alternate Names: LGK, Lietuvių gestų kalba, Lietuviu gestu kalba, LtSL Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Polish pol: Alytaus, Kauno, Marijampoles, and Vilniaus counties. Users: 618,000 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 164,000 in Lithuania (2015 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 454,000 (European Commission 2006). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Lenku Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Romani, Baltic rml: Siauliu, Utenos, and Vilniaus counties. Users: 1,350 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 2,060 (2015 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Balt Romani, Balt Slavic Romani, Baltic Slavic Romani, Romani Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern
Russian rus: Kauno county: Jonava municipality; Klaipedos county: Klaipeda City municipality; Utenos county: Ingalina, Visaginas, and Zarasai municipalities; Vilniaus county: Elektrenai, Švenčionys, Trakai, Vilnius, and Vilnius City municipalities, Naujamiestis and Senamiestis neighborhoods. Users: 2,460,000 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 140,000 in Lithuania (2015 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 2,320,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Rusijos Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Samogitian sgs: Taurages, Telsiu and Klaipedos counties. Users: 500,000 (2009 A. Udovice). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Lowland Lithuanian, Zhemaitish, Žemaičiai, Žemaičių, Žemaitiškai, Žemaitis Autonym: Žemaitiu Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Sudovian xsv: Alytaus county. Users: No known L1 speakers in Lithuania. Last speaker died by the 1600s. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Jatvingian, Yatvingian, Yotvingian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Western
Ukrainian ukr: Klaipedos county: Klaipeda City municipality; Utenos county: Visaginas municipality; Vilniaus county: Elektrenai, Šalčininkai, Švenčionys, and Vilnius City municipalities. Users: 5,340 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 20,200 (2015 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Yiddish, Eastern ydd: Kauno, Klaipedos, Siauliu, and Vilniaus counties. Users: A few hundred speakers. Ethnic population: 2,270 (2015 census). Status: 8a (Moribund). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, Yiddish
Zemgalian xzm: Panevezio and Siauliu counties. Users: No known L1 speakers in Lithuania. Last speaker likely died by the 16th century. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Semigallian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Lithuanian

[lit] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1992, Constitution, Article 14). 2,540,000 in Lithuania (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 2,909,520.

3 (Wider communication)

Russian

[rus] 3 (Wider communication). 2,460,000 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 140,000 in Lithuania (2015 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 2,320,000 (European Commission 2012).

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 1,100,290 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 290 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 1,100,000 (European Commission 2012).

5 (Dispersed)

French

[fra] 5* (Dispersed). 62,500 in Lithuania (Marcoux et al 2022), L2 users.

German, Standard

[deu] 5* (Dispersed). 386,530 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 530 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 386,000 (2019). Ethnic population: 2,830 (2015 census).

Polish

[pol] 5* (Dispersed). 618,000 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 164,000 in Lithuania (2015 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 454,000 (European Commission 2006).

Ukrainian

[ukr] 5* (Dispersed). 5,340 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 20,200 (2015 census).

5 (Developing)

Belarusian

[bel] 5* (Developing). 7,110 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 39,200 (2015 census).

Lithuanian Sign Language

[lls] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, Law on Education, No. XI-1281, Article 30(6), as amended). 8,000 (2021 EUD). Approximately 0.3% of total population. Another estimate: 14,500 (2014 IMB).

Romani, Baltic

[rml] 5* (Developing). 1,350 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 2,060 (2015 census).

Samogitian

[sgs] 5* (Developing). 500,000 (2009 A. Udovice).

8a (Moribund)

Karaim

[kdr] 8a (Moribund). 75 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 270. Total users in all countries: 84.

Yiddish, Eastern

[ydd] 8a (Moribund). A few hundred speakers. Ethnic population: 2,270 (2015 census).

10 (Extinct)

Sudovian

[xsv] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers in Lithuania. Last speaker died by the 1600s.

Zemgalian

[xzm] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers in Lithuania. Last speaker likely died by the 16th century.

Unestablished

Latvian, Standard

[lvs] Unestablished. 1,000 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). Ethnic population: 3,140 (2015 census).

Maps

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Graphs

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

Lithuania

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action