Võro language
language belonging to the Finnic branch of the Uralic languages / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Võro language is a Finno-Ugric language spoken primarily in the Võru County of southeastern Estonia. It is also known as Võro kiil, Võru language, or Seto-Võro language. With an estimated 75,000 speakers, Võro language is recognized as a minority language in Estonia, and it has been the subject of ongoing efforts to promote its use and preserve its cultural heritage.
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Voro | |
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Võru, Võroq, Võro kiil, Võro keel, Voru | |
võro keel or võro kiil | |
Pronunciation | VOR-roh |
Native to | Estonia |
Region | Southwestern Estonia |
Ethnicity | Seto-Võro Or Voro |
Era | 18th Century |
Finno-Ugric
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Dialects |
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Language codes | |
ISO 639-1 | vo |
ISO 639-3 | – |
ELP | Võro |
Linguasphere | 44-EAA-d |
The Võro language has a complex history, with roots that can be traced back to the Finno-Ugric language family, which includes other languages spoken in northern and eastern Europe. Throughout its history, the Võro language has evolved and changed, influenced by cultural and linguistic factors from the region. Today, it is recognized as an important regional language of Estonia, with its own distinct grammar, vocabulary, and cultural identity.
One of the defining features of the Võro language is its distinctive accent and pronunciation. Võro language has a rich set of vowels and consonants, and its intonation patterns and stress placement are unique compared to other languages. The language also has a rich vocabulary, with many words borrowed from neighboring languages such as Latvian and Russian, as well as its own unique terminology for cultural concepts and traditional practices.
In terms of grammar, Võro language has a complex system of cases, with several different cases used to denote the subject, object, and other grammatical elements in a sentence. The language also has a rich system of verb conjugation and agreement, with different verb forms used to indicate tense, aspect, and mood.
The Võro language has several dialects, which can vary in their pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Some of the main dialects include Central Võro, Haanja Võro, Seto-Võro, and Leelo Võro. Despite these differences, however, speakers of different dialects can usually understand each other without too much difficulty.
Despite being a minority language, the Võro language has played an important role in Estonian cultural heritage. The language has been the subject of numerous works of literature, including poetry, fiction, and drama, and there are many traditional songs and dances that are performed in Võro language. Efforts have been made to promote the use of the language, including the establishment of the Võro Institute in 1995, which is dedicated to the study and preservation of Võro language and culture. In addition, Võro language is taught in some schools in the Võru County, and there are cultural events and festivals that celebrate the language and its heritage.
In conclusion, Võro language is a unique and important part of Estonia's cultural heritage, with its own distinctive grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Despite being a minority language, it has played a significant role in Estonian cultural identity and continues to be the focus of efforts to promote its use and preserve its cultural heritage.