POLOŽAJ HRVATSKOGA JEZIKA U BOSNI I HERCEGOVINI
POSITION OF THE CROATIAN LANGUAGE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Summary/Abstract: If the Croatian language is observed in its long-term flow, it can be seen that due to historical, sociological, geographical, demographical, economic, political and other reasons it has a special growth and stratified structure. Starting from the oldest written monuments (Baška and Humac tablet from the 11th and 12th century), when it was realized as the language of literacy and literary beginnings, through numerous development eras marked by changes of phonological, morphological, syntactical and lexical nature, to the latest period, which is the central part of this paper, Croatian language achieved its standardization confirming itself as an autonomous and polyvalent language of public communication. In that long-term period it was followed by different temptations, threats, prohibitions and compulsions, but despite all those difficulties Croatian language has survived in its vitality. Today Croatian language in Bosnia and Herzegovina is systematically and legally equal to other two official languages. However, despite incompatibility of its constitutional solutions and real language usage, analysis in this paper shows how it will endure the current difficulties and traps and be unique language of Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That is the reason why deliberate language policy and planning of the Croatian language status should be lead.

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