Definition

Noun: 1. A West Slavic language: Lusatian refers to a Slavic language spoken by the Sorbian minority in the historical region of Lusatia, located in parts of eastern Germany (specifically the states of Saxony and Brandenburg). It is also commonly known as Sorbian. There are two main standardized varieties: Upper Sorbian and Lower Sorbian.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Lusatian is protected as a minority language in Germany.
  • Efforts are being made to teach Lusatian to younger generations in schools.
  • She is conducting research on the grammar of the Lusatian language.

Advanced Usage

• The term "Lusatian" is used primarily in linguistic and ethnographic contexts to describe the language and its cultural sphere. In everyday English, "Sorbian" is a more frequent synonym.
• It can function attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to the language or its speakers (e.g., , ).

Variants and Related Words

• Sorbian (n): The most common synonym for Lusatian.
• Upper Sorbian (n): One of the two main literary standards of Lusatian, spoken in Upper Lusatia (Saxony).
• Lower Sorbian (n): The other main literary standard, spoken in Lower Lusatia (Brandenburg). It is more endangered than Upper Sorbian.
• Wendish (n): An older, sometimes ambiguous English term historically used for Lusatian/Sorbian and other West Slavic peoples. Its use today can be considered dated or even pejorative by some.

Synonyms

• Sorbian: The direct and most widely used synonym.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word "Lusatian" is almost exclusively used to refer to the Sorbian language. It is not typically used as a general demonym (a word for an inhabitant of Lusatia); for that, "Sorb" (for the ethnic group) or "inhabitant of Lusatia" is used.
• It should not be confused with the adjective "Lusatian" describing the geological Lusatian formation.

Noun

1. a Slavonic language spoken in rural area of southeastern Germany