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Lithuanian is the official language of Lithuania, spoken by about 4 million native Lithuanians. The Lithuanian name for the language is Lietuviu kalba.In older literature on Baltic languages, "Lithuanian" can sometimes refer to Baltic Languages in general.
1 History
The Lithuanian language still retains much of the original sound system and morphological peculiarities of the prototypal Indo-European language and therefore is fascinating for linguistic study. Some reconstructions have concluded that Lithuanian is the language most closely related to Proto-Indo-European. Separate Baltic language group exists perhaps since 10th century BC. However a way, in which the Baltic languages have developed from the Proto-Indo-European langage, is disputed, except the fact of having many archaic features by the Baltic languages.
The Eastern Baltic languages split from the Western Baltic ones (or, perhaps, from hypothetic proto-Baltic language) between 400 – 600s. The differentiation between Lithuanian and Latvian started after 800sCenturies: 8th century 9th century 10th century Decades: 750s 760s 770s 780s 790s 800s 810s 820s 830s 840s 850s Years: 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 Significant Events and Trends Swedish town of Birka founded as a centre of trade on the island o with a period of being one language but different dialects, which perhaps lasted quite long. At least, transitive dialects existed till 14th13th century 14th century 15th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 14th century was that century which lasted from 1301 to 1400. Events The transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age Beginning of th – 15th14th century 15th century 16th century other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. Events Renaissance affects philosophy, science and art. The New Monarchs come to power i or even 16th15th century 16th century 17th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. Events Beginning of the " Little Ice Age" a cooling period that resulted in lower crop yi – 17th century16th century 17th century 18th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601- 1700. During this period, the power of England and the United Provinces increased; while that of. And after 13th – 14thcenturies, the occupation of western part of Daugava basin (almost coinciding with the territory of modern Latvia) by German Sword Brethren had significant influence on separate development of Lithuanian and Latvian.
The first known written Lithuanian text dates from a hymnal translation in 1545. Printed books in Lithuanian language are known since 1547, but the level of literacy among Lithuanians was low in the 16th – 18th centuries and books were not easily available. Literacy in Lithuania strongly increased during the 19th century, despite victimization, made by Russian authorities (which reached its peak after suppression of January Uprising, in 1864 – 1904, when Russian officials forbade any public spoken usage of Lithuanian language and usage of Latin alphabet for written language).
Lithuanian has been official language in Lithuania since 1918 year. During Soviet period ( 1944 – 1990, see History of Lithuania), it was used in official affairs along with Russian language, which was official in the USSR and had priority over Lithuanian language.
