Leonese language

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The Leonese language (Llïonés in Leonese) was developed from Vulgar Latin with contributions from the pre-Roman languages which were spoken in the territory of the Spanish provinces of León, Zamora, and Salamanca and in some villages in the District of Bragança, Portugal. Close to Mirandese and Asturian, it belongs to Leonese or Astur-Leonese subgroup of Iberian languages. In fact, most authors speak of Leonese language or historic dialect of Latin and of Asturian and Mirandese like co-dialects of Leonese .

Leonese was the official language of the Leonese Kingdom in the Middle Ages, and achieved a high codification grade . First written text in Astur-Leonese is Nodicia de Kesos (10th Century), and so others like Fueru de Llión, Fueru de Salamanca, Fueru Xulgu, Códice d'Alfonsu XI, ou Disputa d'Elena y María or "llibru d'Alixandre" were written in Leonese.

The situation of Leonese as minorized language has driven Leonese to near extinction and is considered a seriously endangered language by the UNESCO . There are some efforts to gain acceptance among the urban population (the Leonese Council and other municipalities such as Zamora, Coyanza, Mansilla de las Mulas or La Bañeza made campaigns in and for teaching Leonese).

Education

At the end of the 1990s, several associations unofficially promoted Leonese Language courses. In 2001, the Universidad de León (University of León) created a course for Teachers of Leonese, and Local and Provincial Governments developed Leonese language courses for adults. Nowadays, Leonese can be studied in the most important villages of Leon, Zamora and Salamanca provinces in El Fueyu Courses, after the signing of an agreement between the Leonese Provincial Government and this organization.

Legal Status

Leonese was recognised as a seriously endangered language by UNESCO, in 2006. The only legal reference to this language is in the Autonomy Statute of Castile and Leon. The Province of León government supports the knowledge of this language through courses, by celebrating "Leonese Language Day" and by sponsoring literary efforts in the Leonese Language, such as "Cuentos del Sil", where nine writers from teenagers to people in their eighties develop several stories in Leonese.

See also

• Mirandese language

References

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Last updated on Wednesday March 12, 2008 at 00:07:51 PDT (GMT -0700)
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