Languages of Montenegro

Languages in Montenegro (2023 census)[1]

  Serbian (43.18%)
  Montenegrin (34.52%)
  Bosnian (6.97%)
  Albanian (5.25%)
  Russian (2.36%)
  Serbo-Croatian (2.08%)
  Other (5.64%)

Languages of Montenegro are languages that are spoken in Montenegro. According to the Constitution of Montenegro that was adopted in 2007, Montenegro has only one official language, specified as Montenegrin, even though Serbian is used by 43% of the population and Montenegrin by only around 35% of population.[1] The Montenegrin language is classified by many linguists as a dialect of the Serbian language.[2][3] Montenegrin can be written in both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, but there is a growing political movement to use only the Latin alphabet.[4]

Legally recognized minority languages are Albanian, Bosnian, and Croatian. As of 2017, Albanian is an official language of the municipalities of Podgorica, Ulcinj, Bar, Pljevlja, Rozaje and Tuzi.[5] Additionally, there are a few hundred Italians in Montenegro, concentrated in the Bay of Kotor (Cattaro).

Romani is a protected language.[6]

  1. ^ a b "Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in Montenegro 2023" (PDF). Monstat. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  2. ^ Arsenijevic, B. (2006). "Serbia and Montenegro: Language Situation". Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics. Elsevier. p. 255–256. doi:10.1016/b0-08-044854-2/01823-x. ISBN 978-0-08-044854-1.
  3. ^ Browne, Wayles (20 July 1998). "Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian language". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  4. ^ PhD, Gilad James. "Introduction to Montenegro". Gilad James Mystery School. Retrieved 17 December 2023 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Albanian language official in Montenegro". Oculus News. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Montenegro: A need to improve promotion of the Romani language, among other findings in minority language report - European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages - www.coe.int". European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Retrieved 17 December 2023.