Slavic languages - oldest European languages.

If we examine Slavic languages we must conclude that Slavic languages without any doubts represent oldest European languages.

Similarities between Slavic languages in general and ancient Sanskrit are fascinating. Then, there are numerous words in all European languages (including Slavic) that are regularly described as remnants of once existed, so called `Indo-European language` no matter that true archaic meanings of those words still could be explained only and exclusively in modern day Slavic languages. Seams that so called `Indo-European language` appear in discussions regularly, as some kind `deux as mahina` (solution), when somebody wants to avoid to point on Slavic languages. But, truth is that only Slavic languages, from all European languages, exist and live in continuity for probably more then 10.000 years.

Words (names) such are TARA, SVASTIKA, DRUID, SKOT (SCOT), SKIT (Scythian), KELT (Celt), GAL (Gaul),... telling us much, much more when they are analyzed from the angle of some Slavic language.

Polish language, considering being one of main Slavic languages represent important and inevitable source in any discussion about European linguistics which seek to be serious.

Developed on ancient Proto-Slavic Balkan-Baltic Danubian line, Polish language, for sure, must be one of oldest European languages.

i read somewhere that polish and chech begun to separate in XIII and before it we pretty much spoke same language, That would explain why Mieszko choose Czech :D

Hate to break your stride again, Crow, and I am sure that Slavic languages are old, but what about Greek, Latin, Basque, primitive Irish, West Germanic languages? They all have written accounts that precede the first Slavic written account by hundreds of years, if not thousand years.


True, like the Germanic languages the Slavic languages are derived from the same "mother language" with slight variations due to geographic locations.

However, I read somewhere that Polish uses grammar that comes closest to the ancient Slavic mother language.

>^..^<

M-G (Slovene, for example has its first written account in 972 while Basque has its first in 300)

Thread has been removed, again?

i won`t talk about this in off topic section

Something in my memory tell me that modern Lithuanian is a live language that is closest to sanskrit... Maybe I'm wrong?

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Your perception of Slavic languages

I'm interested to know what other people (especially those who's first language is not Slavic) think about sound of other Slavic languages. For example, does it sound to you beautiful, annoying, irritative, very strange, neutral etc? Also what people who's first language is a Slavic one think about other Slavic languages? How do you find them in comparison to other World languages?

Ukrainian and Russian sound a bit... "hillbilly" or rural lets say, to me. Something that I would expect to hear in the mountains of Greece or in areas with shepherds or maybe farmers. This is not just a stereotype, you can find similar pronunciation in some mountainous areas of Greece. Nothing bad about it but for example some phrases in Russian have caused me to laugh because of how they sound. (which makes me feel a bit bad but what can I do...)

Serbian, Czech, and Polish sound pretty cool though. Especially Polish, when I had first moved to Poland I was occasionally recognizing them as French and I know at least one more Greek that misrecognized Polish as French. They seem to have a pretty light pronunciation even though they have tons of consonants. I consider Polish one of the languages that I generally enjoy listening to.

I can only answer your question by saying that Polish was the first Slavic language I'd ever studied, prior to Russian in grad school.

Polish always reminded me somehow of birds chirping in chorus, full of upbeat exclamatory phrases and drama. Russian on the other hand
seems more like a long, viscous river, oozing ever so slowly until reaching the tributary:-)

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The most beautiful Slavic languages

Which Slavic languages are the most beautiful to you and why?

I still prefer Polish, even to Russian, Ukainian or Czech.

I find Slovakian (and, to the lesser degree, Czech) funny

The most funny Slavic language for me is Belorussian. You would understand it if you would be a native Russian speaker. By the way, Belorussian is probably the most decorative European language. If you will visit Minsk, you will see inscriptions in Belarussian in metro, government institutions, educational institutions, national currency, etc. You will hear Belarussian in metro (conductor voices), public transport (driver gives information), national TV and radio. In the same time 95+ % of population speak regular Russian in their daily life and at work.

I have at least two explanations why Belarus population stick to Belarussian language at the official level. First of all their govt. needs to explain why Belarus is independent country and isn't part of Russia. Secondly they have sentimental feelings toward something they regard a local heritage. The same story happened in Ukraine where in 1990-th around 40% of population spoke Ukrainian in daily life and 60% spoke Russian. (Other native speakers are few). In the last 30 years Ukrainian was the only govt. language, Russian schools became small minority. A lot of Ukrainian TV and mass media. As a result proficiency of local population in Ukrainian grew significantly.