Sorbs and Wends and their language


When you visit the Spreewald for the first time, you'll notice the two-language village and road signs. Many guest assume that these a Polish signs as the Polish border is nearby.

But that is not the case. In the whole of the Nieder and Oberlausitz one finds German-Sorbian language usage. This in Germany unique official bilingualism can be watched in all public situations. Whether town names, train station signs, letterheads of tourism information or mayoress, the Sorbian language is solidly integrated into daily life.  

The Sorbian and Wendian language is part of the Slovic language family. No wonder then that you thought there were Russian or Polish word stems. The care and passing on of the Sorbian and Wendian language culture is one of the main challenges for the Sorbs and Wends parent organisation. The language can still be learned today in  Lübbenau, Cottbus and Bautzen as well as adult education schools.