Lithuanian language

Geographic distribution

Lithuanian is spoken mainly in Lithuania. It is spoken also by native ethnic Lithuanians living in today's Belarus, Latvia, Poland, Russia. It is also spoken by emigrant communities in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Estonia, Ireland, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and the United States.

Related Topics:
Lithuania - Belarus - Latvia - Poland - Russia - Argentina - Australia - Brazil - Canada - Estonia - Ireland - Russia - Sweden - United Kingdom - Uruguay - United States

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2,955,200 in Lithuania (including 3,460 Tatar) or about 80% of the population (1998) are native Lithuanian speakers, most of Lithuanian inhabitants of other nationalities speak Lithuanian to some extent too. The population total speaking Lithuanian for all countries is 4,000,000 (1993 UBS).

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Official status

Lithuanian is the official language of Lithuania and an official language of the European Union.

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Dialects

The Lithuanian language has two main dialects: Auk?taitian (Auk?tai?i?, Highland Lithuanian) and Samogitian (Samogitian, ?emai?i?/?emaitiu, Lowland Lithuanian). See maps at http://samogitia.mch.mii.lt/KALBA/girdstr.en.htm#Map.

Related Topics:
Auk?taitian - Samogitian

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Standard Lithuanian is based on Western Auk?taitian. Intelligibility between Auk?taitian and Samogitian is considered difficult by most Lithuanians.

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