Mutual intelligibility between West and South Slavic languages

In the present study we tested the level of mutual intelligibility between three West Slavic (Czech, Slovak and Polish) and three South Slavic languages (Croatian, Slovene and Bulgarian). Three different methods were used: a word translation task, a cloze test and a picture task. The results show that in most cases, a division between West and South Slavic languages does exist and that West Slavic languages are more intelligible among speakers of West Slavic languages than among those of South Slavic languages. We found an asymmetry in Croatian-Slovene intelligibility, whereby Slovene speakers can understand written and spoken Croatian better than vice versa. Finally, we compared the three methods and found that the word translation task and the cloze test give very similar results, while the results of the picture task are somewhat unreliable

Language in society across the Baltic Republics: A comparative overview

There is to date no systematic comparative analysis of work on the significance of language at the levels of the individual and the state across the Baltic. This introductory article reviews recent publications and proposes further aspects of research to be conducted on the language situation in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It also highlights the need to adopt a diachronic approach in language research.</p

Language politics and practices in the Baltic states

This monograph provides an overview of the language situation in the three Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It examines the recent change in language regimes that the Baltic States have deliberately brought about since the restitution of their independence, the nature of these changes, the opposition they have engendered and the linguistic, political and social consequences of these policies, both locally and internationally. First, an overview is provided on the historical background to contextualise and present language policy issues in the Baltic. Then attempts to overturn major aspects of Soviet language policy and to re-institute the national language are highlighted. Aspects of the current language situation covered include a special focus on bilingual and multilingual language use in the Baltic multiethnic settings. Detailed attention is also paid to language provision in the diverging educational settings, as well as to methods of assessment. This is followed by a discussion of attitudes to language use, standardisation, testing, languages and language variants. In conclusion the scholarly treatment of Baltic language policy issues is examined, concluding with an evaluation of the contribution of the Baltic States to our overall understandings of language policy and its complexities