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Samogitian | |
---|---|
Žemaitiu kalba | |
Native to | Lithuania |
Region | Samogitia |
Native speakers | < 500,000 (2009)[1] |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | sgs |
Glottolog | samo1265 |
Samogitian (endonym: žemaitiu kalba or sometimes žemaitiu rokunda, žemaitiu šnekta or žemaitiu ruoda; Lithuanian: žemaičių tarmė, žemaičių kalba),[2][3] often considered a dialect of Lithuanian, is an Eastern Baltic language spoken primarily in Samogitia.
It has preserved many features of the extinct Curonian language, such as specific phonological traits and vocabulary. Samogitian differs significantly from standard Lithuanian in phonetics, morphology, syntax, and lexis, with unique archaic features not found in other Lithuanian dialects.[citation needed] The use of Samogitian is currently in decline, with limited presence in media and education. Efforts are being made to preserve the language, including local initiatives and cultural societies.