Voice Over Sydney: Romanian (or limba română in the language itself) is a Latin-derived language related closely to languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. It has the distinction of being the only Romance language still spoken in eastern Europe, with official status in Romania, Moldova, and parts of Serbia and Greece; it is also recognised in Hungary as a minority language and spoken in Ukraine, Albania, and Macedonia. Despite its approximately 24 million speakers (according to Ethnologue), however, Romanian is very often left out of Romance language degree programmes entirely—eclipsed by its more well-known counterparts of French and Spanish in particular.
Voice over Sydney: Romance Language?
There has recently been somewhat of a movement among organisers of Romance language degree programmes and university administrators in general to give Romanian the recognition it deserves as a language that is both relevant and fascinating. The Ohio State University, Duke University, and University College London are three well-known institutions that have decided to offer a Romanian minor; Romanian courses as part of a Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies; and a Bachelor’s Degree in Romanian and East European Studies respectively. But what exactly makes it so unique? And why should it be considered important?
Voice over Sydney: Romanian is Latin Derived.
Romanian (or limba română in the language itself) is a Latin-derived language. It’s related closely to languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. It has the distinction of being the only Romance language. Still spoken in eastern Europe, with official status in Romania, Moldova, and parts of Serbia and Greece; it is also recognised in Hungary as a minority language and spoken in Ukraine, Albania, and Macedonia. Despite its approximately 24 million speakers (according to Ethnologue), however, Romanian is very often left out of Romance language degree programmes. Eclipsed by its more well-known counterparts of French and Spanish in particular.
Voice over Sydney: Romanian recognition
There has recently been somewhat of a movement among organisers of Romance language. Degree programmes and university administrators in general to give Romanian the recognition it deserves as a language that is both relevant and fascinating. The Ohio State University, Duke University, and University College London are three well-known institutions that have decided to offer a Romanian minor. Romanian courses as part of a Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies; and a Bachelor’s Degree in East European Studies respectively.
