ME
Republic of Montenegro
Montenegro
Summary
Official Name
Republic of Montenegro
International Conventions
CDE (2007), CPPDCE (2008), CSICH (2009), ECRML (2006), FCPNM (2001), ICCPR (2006), UNCRPD (2009)
Population
628,000
Principal Languages
Montenegrin
Literacy Rate
99% (2018 UNESCO)
General References
Comrie 1987, Stephens 1976
Language Counts
The number of established languages listed for Montenegro is 9. All are living languages. Of these, 6 are indigenous and 3 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 6 are developing, and 1 is vigorous. Also listed are 3 unestablished languages.
Languages
- Albanian, Gheg aln
- Widespread. Users: 32,700 in Montenegro (2011 census). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Tuzi City Municipality, Plav Municipality, Ulcinj Municipality (2006, Statute No. 5-06, Article 9). Recognized language (2007, Constitution, Article 13). Alternate Names: Geg, Gegnisht, Shqip, Shqyp Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Gheg
- Bosnian bos
- Gusinje, Petnijica, Plav, and Rožaje municipalities. Users: 36,700 in Montenegro (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2006, Minority Rights Law, No. 31-06, Article 2). Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
- Croatian hrv
- Kotor and Tivat municipalities. Users: 3,010 in Montenegro (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2006, Minority Rights Law, No. 31-06, Article 2). Alternate Names: Hrvatski, Serbo-Croatian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
- English eng
- Widespread. Users: 130,190 in Montenegro, all users. L1 users: 190 in Montenegro (2011 census). L2 users: 130,000 (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
- French fra
- Users: 12,900 in Montenegro (Beck et al 2018), L2 users. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
- German, Standard deu
- Users: 14,000 in Montenegro (2011 census), L2 users. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
- Italian ita
- Users: 24,100 in Montenegro (2011 census), L2 users. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
- Montenegrin cnr
- Widespread. Users: 230,000 in Montenegro (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 265,660. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2007, Constitution, Article 13). Alternate Names: Serbo-Croatian Autonym: црногорски (Crnogorski) Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
- Montenegrin Sign Language ysl
- Scattered. Users: 2,000 in Montenegro (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 1,200–2,400 deaf signers, based on 0.2%–0.4% of total population. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Montenegro Sign Language, YSL, Yugoslav Sign Language, Yugoslavian Sign Language Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
- Romani, Balkan rmn
- Berane, Bijelo Polje, Herceg Novi, Nikši, and Podgorica municipalities. Users: 5,170 in Montenegro (2011 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Romani ćhib Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Balkan
- Russian rus
- Users: 150,030 in Montenegro, all users. L1 users: 1,030 in Montenegro (2011 census). L2 users: 149,000 (Arefyev 2012). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
- Serbian srp
- Widespread. Users: 266,000 in Montenegro (2011 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Serbo-Croatian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Languages by Status
Montenegrin
[cnr] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2007, Constitution, Article 13). 230,000 in Montenegro (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 265,660.
Albanian, Gheg
[aln] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Tuzi City Municipality, Plav Municipality, Ulcinj Municipality (2006, Statute No. 5-06, Article 9). Recognized language (2007, Constitution, Article 13). 32,700 in Montenegro (2011 census).
Bosnian
[bos] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2006, Minority Rights Law, No. 31-06, Article 2). 36,700 in Montenegro (2011 census).
Croatian
[hrv] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2006, Minority Rights Law, No. 31-06, Article 2). 3,010 in Montenegro (2011 census).
Serbian
[srp] 5* (Dispersed). 266,000 in Montenegro (2011 census).
English
[eng] 5* (Dispersed). 130,190 in Montenegro, all users. L1 users: 190 in Montenegro (2011 census). L2 users: 130,000 (2011 census).
French
[fra] 5* (Dispersed). 12,900 in Montenegro (Beck et al 2018), L2 users.
Romani, Balkan
[rmn] 5* (Developing). 5,170 in Montenegro (2011 census).
Montenegrin Sign Language
[ysl] 6a* (Vigorous). 2,000 in Montenegro (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 1,200–2,400 deaf signers, based on 0.2%–0.4% of total population.
Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro
Language Vitality Profile
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Language Status Profile
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