Learning the Language(s) of Bosnia and Herzegovina

What Language(s) Are Spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, three official languages are spoken: Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian.

Why is it Important to Learn the Language?

Learning the local language will significantly ease your integration into society. It helps you not only in daily life but also opens doors within the community and at the workplace. Additionally, you will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the country’s rich culture and history.

Regional Distribution of Languages

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is an interesting regional distribution of the languages:

• Bosnian is primarily spoken in central and northern parts of Bosnia and in some areas of Herzegovina.
• Croatian is predominantly spoken in western and southern Herzegovina, as well as in some municipalities along the Croatian border.
• Serbian is mostly found in eastern and northern Bosnia, as well as in Republika Srpska.

This distribution reflects the historical and cultural influences in the country’s different regions.

Understanding the Languages

The linguistic landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina is shaped by three closely related South Slavic languages: Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian. These languages share many linguistic features, as they all originated from Proto-Slavic, which was once spoken over a vast area of Eastern Europe. They use the Latin alphabet with diacritical marks for specific sounds, while Serbian also uses the Cyrillic alphabet.

Special Letters and Pronunciation Rules

These languages use special letters that require particular attention, such as:

• Č, č: Pronounced like ‘ch’ in “Czech”. Example: “čaj” (tea)
• Š, š: Pronounced like ‘sh’ in “shoe”. Example: “šuma” (forest)
• Ž, ž: Pronounced like ‘zh’ in “measure”. Example: “žaba” (frog)
• Đ, đ: Pronounced like ‘dj’ in “Django”. Example: “đak” (student)
• Ć, ć: A softer ‘ch’ sound, with no direct equivalent in English. Example: “ćevapčići” (grilled sausages)

These letters are essential for correct pronunciation and meaning.

Pronunciation Tips

Pronunciation in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian may initially be challenging for English speakers, but it follows some clear rules:

1. Phonetic Clarity: Each letter corresponds to a single sound, and words are generally pronounced as they are written.
2. Stress Rules: Although stress can vary, it often falls on the first syllable of the word. It is important to pay attention to stress, as it can change the meaning of a word.
3. No Silent Letters: Unlike in English, there are no silent letters in these languages. Every letter in a word is pronounced, making reading and learning easier.

By following these rules and practicing the specific sounds, you can achieve clear and accurate pronunciation in the South Slavic languages.

Recommended Language Learning Apps

These apps can help you learn the language(s) effectively:

• Ling: Offers specific courses for Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian with interactive lessons that cover both vocabulary and grammar.
• Clozemaster: Focuses on learning through sentences and provides many exercises for Croatian and Serbian.
• Memrise: Uses effective techniques for vocabulary learning. The community has created courses for Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian.
• Mondly: Also offers courses for Croatian and Serbian with an interactive and visual learning approach.
• 50 Languages: An app that teaches basic vocabulary and phrases for various languages, including Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian.

Unfortunately, neither Babbel nor Duolingo explicitly offer courses for Croatian, Serbian, or Bosnian.