Silesian language can refer to the Silesian - a dialect of Polish, sometimes considered a separate Western Slavonic language related to Czech and Polish), or the Lower Silesian (a dialect of German). Both are spoken in the region of Silesia.

Silesian can also mean from or related to Silesia, Lower Silesia or Upper Silesia.

Silesian

Silesian (Upper Silesian) is spoken by the Silesian ethnic group (both Polish, Silesian and German nationalities) living in the region of Upper Silesia. It must not be confused with the Silesian dialect of German (Lower Silesian) spoken by the Silesian people in the same region. Cataloged in Ethnologue as dialect of Polish, Upper Silesian.

Majority of Slavic linguists consider it as a dialect of Polish, however some people regard it as a separate language belonging to the West Slavic branch of Slavic languages, together with Polish, Upper and Lower Sorbian, and other Lekhitic languages) as well as Czech and Slovak.

According to the last census in Poland (2002) some 70,000 people declared Silesian as their first language, and some 170,000 people declared Silesian nationality. However, the total number of Silesian speakers (the majority of whom do not consider it as a separate language) exceeds 2 million.

There are also about 100,000 Silesian speakers living in the Czech Republic. Besides, about 40,000 thousand people in Czech Republic declared Silesian nationality.

Silesian dialect vs. Silesian language

Opinions are divided between speakers and linguists as to whether Silesian is a distinct language or another dialect of Polish. The issue of whether Silesian is a dialect or a language can be contentious since some Silesians consider themselves to be a distinct ethnic minority or nationality within Poland and some people disagree with this.

When classified as a dialect, it is the most prominent regional dialect of the Polish language which is classified in the West Slavic branch of Slavic languages.

When classified as a language, it is considered closely related to Polish and then Czech with some influence from German.

Distribution

Silesian is spoken in the region of Silesia in south-western Poland and north-eastern Czech Republic and in a couple of place all around the world. At present the Silesian is commonly spoken in the area between historical border of Silesia on the east, and line Sycow - Prudnik on the west, as well as in Rawicz area (Chazacy ). Until 1945 Silesian was spoken in enclaves in Lower Silesia.

External links

• Slonsko Lauba (in Silesian)
• Slonskie Beranie - dictionary of Silesian language (mirror)
• Klub Slonskie Beranie - A club of Silesian speakers (mirror)
• Slonski Servis (Polish, German)
• Ślonsk - country and people (Silesian, Polish, German)
• Ethnologue - Upper Silesian

Lower Silesian (of German)

Lower Silesian - a dialect of the German language, historically spoken mainly in Lower Silesia, cataloged as Lower Silesian in Ethnologue.

External link

• Ethnologue - Lower Silesian