Serbia

Summary

Official Name: Republic of Serbia
Population: 8,698,000
Principal Languages: Serbian
Literacy Rate: 99% (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, Stephens 1976
Deaf Population: 60,000 (Van Cleve 1986)
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Serbia is 22. All are living languages. Of these, 9 are indigenous and 13 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 13 are institutional, 6 are developing, and 3 are vigorous. Also listed are 6 unestablished languages and 1 macrolanguage.

Languages

Albanian, Gheg aln: Jablanica, Kosovo, Kosovsko-Mitrovica, Kosovsko-Pomoravlje, Pčinja, Peć, Prizren, Raška, Toplica, and Zlatibor districts. Users: 1,840,000 in Serbia (2021), including 1,830,000 in Kosovo (2021 World Factbook). Ethnic population: 1,800,000 (2021 World Factbook). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in Bjanovac, 2 other municipalities (2009, Constitution, Article 10(2)). De facto provincial language in Kosovo. Alternate Names: Geg, Gegnisht, Shqip, Shqyp Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Gheg
Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 22,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Aromanian rup: Bor, Braničevo, Pomoravlje, and Zaječar districts. Users: 32,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Armani, Macedo Romania Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Bosnian bos: Raška district: Novi Pazar and Tutin municipalities; Peć and Prizren districts, Zlatibor district: Priboj, Prijepolje, and Sjenica municipalities. Users: 172,000 in Serbia (2013 UNSD), including 33,000 in Kosovo (2021 World Factbook). Status: 4 (Educational). Statutory language of provincial identity in Bujanovac, Medveda, Presevo (1991, Official Language Use Law No. 45, Article 3). Alternate Names: Serbo-Croatian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Bulgarian bul: Pčinja district: Bosiljgrad; Pirot district: Dmitrovgrad. Users: 13,300 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Novi Pazar, Sjenica, Tutin (1991, Official Language Use Law No. 45, Article 3). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Chinese, Mandarin cmn: Users: 14,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Croatian hrv: North Backa district: Bela Crkva municipality. Users: 19,200 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Autonomous Province Vojvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vojvodina Statute, Article 26). Alternate Names: Hrvatski, Serbo-Croatian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Czech ces: South Banat district: Bela Crkva municipality, Češko Selo village. Users: 45,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Češki, Čeština, Český jazyk Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
English eng: Users: 4,200 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Users: 276,000 in Serbia (2018), L2 users. Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
German, Standard deu: Users: 2,190 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Nemački Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Hungarian hun: Central Banat, North Backa, North Banat, South Backa, and West Backa districts; Vojvodina area. Users: 243,000 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Autonomous Province Vojvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vojvodina Statute, Article 26). Alternate Names: Mađarski, Magyar Classification: Uralic
Italian ita: Users: 2,600 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Macedonian mkd: Users: 12,700 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Montenegrin cnr: Raška and Zlatibor districts. Users: 2,520 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Polish pol: Users: 29,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Romani, Balkan rmn: Kosovo: scattered. Users: 101,000 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). 100,000 Arlija. Total users in all countries: 802,840 (as L1: 602,840; as L2: 200,000). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Roma, “Balkan Gypsy” (pej.) Autonym: Romani, Romani ćhib Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Balkan
Romani, Sinte rmo: Belgrade City, Jablanica, Nišava, Pčinja, and Pirot districts; scattered in Kosovo. Users: 39,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Romanes, Sasítka Romá, Sinte, Sinti Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern
Romani, Vlax rmy: Widespread. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Rom Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron: South Backa district: Timoc valley. Users: 29,100 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Autonomous Province Vodjvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vodjvodina Statute, Article 26). Alternate Names: Daco-Rumanian, Română, Rumanian Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Romano-Serbian rsb: Srem district. Users: 95,000 (Leclerc 2020c). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tent Gypsy Classification: Mixed language, Serbian-Romani
Russian rus: Users: 1,400,000 in Serbia (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 3,180 (2013 UNSD). Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Ruthenian rsk: North Backa district: Bačka Topola municipality; South Backa district: Novi Sad, Vrbas municipality, Kucura; Srem district: Šid municipality, Bikič Do; West Backa district: Kula municipality, Ruski Krstur. Users: 11,300 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 12,770. Status: 4 (Educational). Statutory language of provincial identity in Autonomous Province Vodjvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vodjvodina Statute, Article 26). Alternate Names: Pannonian Rusyn, Rusnak, Rusnatski Autonym: руски‎ (Ruski) Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Serbian srp: Widespread. Users: 7,760,000 in Serbia (2019), including 31,000 in Kosovo (2021 World Factbook). Total users in all countries: 10,309,546. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2006, Constitution, Article 10(1)). Alternate Names: Serbo-Croatian Autonym: српски‎ (Srpski) Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Serbian Sign Language ysl: Scattered. Users: 10,000 in Serbia (2014 EUD). Estimated deaf signers, approximately 0.05% of total population. Other estimates: 30,000 signers (2014 European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters); 30,000 deaf and 90,000 hard of hearing (2013 Association of the Deaf and Hard Hearing); 47,500 (2014 IMB). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2015, Law on the Use of Sign Language). Alternate Names: SZJ, Srpski Znakovni Jezik, YSL, Yugoslav Sign Language, Yugoslavian Sign Language Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Serbo-Croatian hbs: Users: Population total all languages (L1 only): 18,830,366. Status:
Slovak slk: South Backa district: Vojvodine. Users: 49,800 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Autonomous Province Vodjvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vodjvodina Statute, Article 26). Alternate Names: Slovenčina, Slovenský Jazyk Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Turkish tur: Users: 23,800 in Serbia (2021), including 21,300 in Kosovo (2021 World Factbook). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 8,100 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Serbian

[srp] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2006, Constitution, Article 10(1)). 7,760,000 in Serbia (2019), including 31,000 in Kosovo (2021 World Factbook). Total users in all countries: 10,309,546.

2 (Provincial)

Albanian, Gheg

[aln] 2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in Bjanovac, 2 other municipalities (2009, Constitution, Article 10(2)). De facto provincial language in Kosovo. 1,840,000 in Serbia (2021), including 1,830,000 in Kosovo (2021 World Factbook). Ethnic population: 1,800,000 (2021 World Factbook).

Bulgarian

[bul] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Novi Pazar, Sjenica, Tutin (1991, Official Language Use Law No. 45, Article 3). 13,300 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

Croatian

[hrv] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Autonomous Province Vojvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vojvodina Statute, Article 26). 19,200 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

Hungarian

[hun] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Autonomous Province Vojvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vojvodina Statute, Article 26). 243,000 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

Romanian

[ron] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Autonomous Province Vodjvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vodjvodina Statute, Article 26). 29,100 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

Slovak

[slk] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Autonomous Province Vodjvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vodjvodina Statute, Article 26). 49,800 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

4 (Educational)

Bosnian

[bos] 4 (Educational). Statutory language of provincial identity in Bujanovac, Medveda, Presevo (1991, Official Language Use Law No. 45, Article 3). 172,000 in Serbia (2013 UNSD), including 33,000 in Kosovo (2021 World Factbook).

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 4,200 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

French

[fra] 4 (Educational). 276,000 in Serbia (2018), L2 users.

German, Standard

[deu] 4 (Educational). 2,190 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

Russian

[rus] 4 (Educational). 1,400,000 in Serbia (Arefyev 2012), all users. L1 users: 3,180 (2013 UNSD).

Ruthenian

[rsk] 4 (Educational). Statutory language of provincial identity in Autonomous Province Vodjvodina (2009, Autonomous Province Vodjvodina Statute, Article 26). 11,300 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 12,770.

5 (Dispersed)

Czech

[ces] 5* (Dispersed). 45,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Montenegrin

[cnr] 5* (Dispersed). 2,520 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

Romani, Sinte

[rmo] 5* (Dispersed). 39,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Turkish

[tur] 5* (Dispersed). 23,800 in Serbia (2021), including 21,300 in Kosovo (2021 World Factbook).

5 (Developing)

Romani, Balkan

[rmn] 5* (Developing). 101,000 in Serbia (2013 UNSD). 100,000 Arlija. Total users in all countries: 802,840 (as L1: 602,840; as L2: 200,000).

Serbian Sign Language

[ysl] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2015, Law on the Use of Sign Language). 10,000 in Serbia (2014 EUD). Estimated deaf signers, approximately 0.05% of total population. Other estimates: 30,000 signers (2014 European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters); 30,000 deaf and 90,000 hard of hearing (2013 Association of the Deaf and Hard Hearing); 47,500 (2014 IMB).

6a (Vigorous)

Aromanian

[rup] 6a* (Vigorous). 32,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Romani, Vlax

[rmy] 6a* (Vigorous).

Romano-Serbian

[rsb] 6a* (Vigorous). 95,000 (Leclerc 2020c).

Unestablished

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 22,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Chinese, Mandarin

[cmn] Unestablished. 14,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Italian

[ita] Unestablished. 2,600 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Macedonian

[mkd] Unestablished. 12,700 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

Polish

[pol] Unestablished. 29,000 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Ukrainian

[ukr] Unestablished. 8,100 in Serbia (Leclerc 2020c).

Maps

Serbia

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Serbia with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Serbia 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 Serbia with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Serbia 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 Serbia 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 Serbia ($149.95, 24 page PDF)

Serbia

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Serbia

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action