Geographical distribution of the Macedonian Language

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Macedonian language
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The Macedonian Language is spoken throughout the Balkan Peninsula, Europe and the rest of the World. The actual number of Macedonian speakers is hard to attain as it is a controversial topic. A 1964 estimate of the emigrant population put the number of Macedonian speakers outside of the Balkan's at c.580,000 people.^[1]

Contents 1 Republic of Macedonia 2 Albania 3 Serbia 4 Kosovo 5 Bulgaria 6 Greece 7 Rest of the Balkans 8 Germany 9 Italy 10 Switzerland 11 Rest of Europe 12 United States 13 Canada 14 Australia 15 Rest of the World 16 References

[edit] Republic of Macedonia

The Macedonian language is the most widespread language used in the Republic of Macedonia. It was codified in 1944 and since then has been taught in schools across the republic. It is the primary language used by Macedonians and a secondary language of the various ethnic groups. It is the mother language of 70% of all inhabitants of the Republic of Macedonia^[2].

[edit] Albania

The Macedonian language is widely spoken in the eastern border regions with Macedonia. It is the primary language in the Pustec district and other populations can be found in Mala Prespa and Golo Brdo.

The Macedonian language is taught and spoken amongst the Macedonian minority in Albania. It is the primary school language and it used for some official purposes. There is one Macedonian radio station and news-journal in circulation.

[edit] Serbia

Many thousands of Macedonians migrated to Serbia in the 1960s and 1970's. They also retained the use of their native language. In 2002, 25,847 people declared themselves to be Macedonians. Large concentrations of Macedonian speakers can be found in Pančevo, Jabuka, Novi Sad and Belgrade. 14,355 people declared Macedonian to be their mother language.^[3] Currently there is no specific program to educate students in Macedonian. Yet there are attempts to introduce Macedonian language classes into areas where there is a significant minority.^[4]

[edit] Kosovo

There is debate as to whether the language of the Gorani people in Kosovo is closer to Macedonian, Bulgarian or Serbian. They identify it as Našinski. Recently the Government of Kosovo began to teach the Macedonian language after it acquired Macedonian language textbooks and grammar books for the Gorani population.^[5]

[edit] Bulgaria

[edit] Greece

Further information: Slavic dialects of Greece

[edit] Rest of the Balkans

An estimated 20,000 speakers of the Macedonian language live throughout the rest of the Balkans. Many are recent immigrants to the region.

[edit] Germany

[edit] Italy

[edit] Switzerland

[edit] Rest of Europe

[edit] United States

The Macedonian language is widely spoken throughout the United States. Official sources in the Republic of Macedonia estimate up to 200,000 have knowledge of the language.^[6]

[edit] Canada

Macedonian is the fifth most used language in Canada,^{[citation needed]} with approx. 150,000 native speakers.^[7]

[edit] Australia

The Macedonian language has had a long history in Australia. From the pečalbari/seasonal workers to the mass migrations of Ethnic Macedonians from Greece and the Republic of Macedonia.

The 1976 census reported that 16691 people spoke the Macedonian language at home. By 1986 this number had risen significantly to 45,610. The 1991 census reported 64,428 people speaking the language at home. The language continued to increase in use with 71,371 speakers in 1996 and 71,994 speakers in 2001^[8]. The first actual decline in language usage occurred in 2006 when only 67,831 people declared they spoke the Macedonian language at home. In 2001 it was the 9th most spoken language at home in Australia other than English.

In 2001 the largest concentration of speakers were in Melbourne:30,831, Sydney:19,980, Wollongong:7,420, Perth:5,772 and Newcastle:2,095. Other concentrations include Geelong, Queanbeyan, Shepparton, Richmond and Brisbane.

It is possible to choose the Macedonian language as a study option in the New South WalesHSC^[9] and the Victorian VCE^[10]. The language is also offered at Macquarie University^[11].

[edit] Rest of the World

[edit] References