What Other Languages Are Spoken in Romania?
Romania is a country located in Southeastern Europe with a rich culture, history and traditions. Romanian is the official language spoken in the country, but it is not the only one. Romania is a multicultural and multilingual country, with various ethnic groups living together in harmony. In addition to Romanian, there are other languages spoken in Romania due to historical, social, and cultural factors. In this article, we will explore the languages spoken in Romania in detail.
Romanian Language
Romanian is the official language of Romania and Moldova; it is also spoken in some parts of Ukraine and Serbia. Romanian is a Romance language, part of the Indo-European language family, and it is very similar to Italian, French, and Spanish. Romanian is an inflected language, meaning that the endings of the words change depending on their grammatical role in the sentence.
Hungarian Language
Hungarian is the second most widely spoken language in Romania, mainly concentrated in the western part of the country, known as Transylvania. According to the 2011 Romanian Census, there were approximately 1.2 million Hungarian speakers in Romania, comprising about 6% of the population. Hungarian is a Finno-Ugric language, with no relation to the Romance, Germanic, or Slavic languages spoken in Europe. Hungarian has a complex grammar and a distinctive set of sounds.
Roma Language
Roma or Romani is an Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily by the Roma, also known as Gypsies, living in Romania. Roma is not an official language in Romania, but it is recognized under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Approximately 500,000 Roma speakers live in Romania, although the number may be higher due to undocumented populations. Roma has several dialects with variations in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and intonation.
German Language
German is a West Germanic language spoken by a small percentage of the population in Romania, also in the western part of the country. The majority of the German-speaking population in Romania, known as Transylvanian Saxons, are a part of the historical German minority living in the region for centuries. German is not considered an official language in Romania, but it is taught as a foreign language in some schools.
Other Languages
Besides the languages mentioned above, there are other languages spoken in Romania. Ukrainian, Russian, and Turkish are among them. Ukrainian and Russian are more prevalent in the eastern region of Moldova, which was formerly part of the Soviet Union. Turkish is spoken in some areas along the Black Sea coast by the descendants of Ottoman Turks who settled in the region centuries ago.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Romania is a multiethnic and multilingual country where different languages are spoken due to historical and social reasons. Romanian is the official language, but the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity is something to be celebrated. Moreover, the Romanian government supports the preservation and promotion of minority languages, granting them protection under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Understanding the different languages spoken in the country can lead to better communication and appreciation of Romania’s diverse cultures.
What Other Languages Are Spoken in Romania?
Romania is a country located in Southeastern Europe, known for its diverse culture, rich history, and beautiful landscapes. When it comes to languages, Romanian is the official language and the most commonly spoken. However, Romania is also home to several other languages, each with its own unique characteristics and history.
In this blog post, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the other languages spoken in Romania.
What are the other official languages in Romania?
Aside from Romanian, there are 20 other officially recognized languages in Romania. These languages are recognized by the Romanian Constitution under the National Minorities Law.
The list of other official languages in Romania includes:
- Hungarian
- Romani
- Ukrainian
- Russian
- German
- Turkish
- Tatar
- Serbian
- Slovak
- Czech
- Croatian
- Bulgarian
- Polish
- Macedonian
- Greek
- Armenian
- Hebrew
- Albanian
- Lipovan
- Bosnian
What is the most commonly spoken minority language in Romania?
The most commonly spoken minority language in Romania is Hungarian. It is estimated that around 1.2 million people in Romania speak Hungarian as their first language, making up about 6% of the population.
What is the history of Hungarian in Romania?
The presence of a Hungarian-speaking population in present-day Romania dates back to the late medieval period, when the Kingdom of Hungary extended its control over parts of Transylvania. During this period, the Kingdom of Hungary encouraged large-scale migration of Hungarians to the region, resulting in a significant Hungarian-speaking population.
After World War I, Transylvania became part of Romania. The Romanian government recognized the Hungarian-speaking population’s rights, including the right to education, public administration, and representation in the Romanian parliament.
During the communist era in Romania, the Hungarian minority faced restrictions in the use of their language and cultural expression. However, after the fall of the communist government in 1989, Hungarian language and culture experienced a revival in Romania, with Hungarian-language schools, media outlets, and cultural events becoming more common.
What is the history of the Romani language in Romania?
Romani is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Romani people, who are an ethnic minority in Europe. In Romania, it is estimated that around 550,000 people speak Romani, making it the second most commonly spoken minority language.
The history of Romani in Romania is closely linked with the history of the Romani people, who are believed to have migrated to Europe from northern India in the 14th century. The usage of Romani in Romania was officially recognized in the early 1990s, following the fall of the communist government.
What is the history of the German language in Romania?
The German language has a long history in Romania, dating back to the Middle Ages when German settlers migrated to the region. In the 20th century, Romanian Germans made up a significant minority in certain regions of Romania, particularly in Transylvania.
During World War II, many Romanian Germans were deported to Germany, and after the war, many migrated voluntarily to Germany. Today, the Romanian German population is relatively small, estimated at around 36,000 people.
What is the history of the Ukrainian language in Romania?
Ukrainian is another minority language spoken in Romania, particularly in the northern region of Maramureș. The history of Ukrainian in Romania is linked with the history of the Ukrainian people, who have historically occupied parts of present-day Romania.
In the aftermath of World War I, Romania took control of parts of present-day Ukraine, resulting in a large Ukrainian-speaking population in Romania. During the communist era, the Ukrainian minority experienced restrictions on its language and cultural expression, but following 1989, Ukrainian language and culture underwent a revival in Romania.
Conclusion
Romania is home to a diverse range of languages, each with its unique characteristics and history. While Romanian is the official language, the other 20 officially recognized languages play an important role in Romanian culture and identity. Whether you’re interested in the history of the Hungarian-speaking population in Romania or want to learn more about the Romani language, Romania is a fascinating country with a rich linguistic heritage.
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