Exploring the Romanian Language: 10 Lesser-Known Facts

Romanian, the official language of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, is often associated with the grandeur of Transylvania’s castles and the legend of Dracula. But the language itself, which stands distinct in Eastern Europe due to its Latin roots, holds fascinating mysteries and stories. Here are ten lesser-known facts about the Romanian language:

1. A Lone Latin Outpost:

In a sea of Slavic languages in Eastern Europe, Romanian stands out as a Romance language, closely related to Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Its existence in this region is a testament to the Roman legacy left behind after their conquest of Dacia in 106 A.D.

2. A Blend of Cultures:

While its Latin roots are strong, Romanian has absorbed words from many neighboring cultures due to its geographic location. It has borrowed from Turkish, Greek, Hungarian, and Slavic languages, making it a rich linguistic tapestry.

3. The “ă” Enigma:

One of the unique characters in the Romanian alphabet is “ă”, pronounced as the “a” in “about.” This sound, distinct in the Romance language family, is ubiquitous in Romanian.

4. Old Romanian Texts:

The earliest known written text in Romanian is a letter from 1521 known as “Neacșu’s Letter.” It was written in the Cyrillic script, which Romanian used until the 19th century when the Latin alphabet was adopted.

5. Moldovan – A Separate Language?:

In the Republic of Moldova, Romanian is officially called “Moldovan.” During the Soviet era, the distinction was emphasized to distance Moldova from Romania, even though they are virtually the same language.

6. Five Main Dialects:

Romanian is not uniform. It comprises five main dialects: Wallachian, Moldavian, Transylvanian, Banatean, and Maramureșean. While they share the core grammar and vocabulary, each dialect has its idiosyncrasies.

7. Latin’s Neuter Gender:

While most Romance languages have lost the Latin neuter gender, Romanian has preserved it. Interestingly, Romanian neuters behave like masculines in the singular form and feminines in the plural.

8. Surviving Latin Words:

There are words in Romanian that have died out in other Romance languages, making them closer to their Latin originals. For instance, the Romanian “a urî” (to hate) is reminiscent of the Latin “odisse,” while other Romance languages have adopted different roots for this verb.

9. Definite Articles at the End:

Unlike most other Romance languages, Romanian attaches its definite articles (the equivalent of “the” in English) to the end of nouns. For instance, “om” means “man,” while “omul” means “the man.”

10. Special Sounds:

Apart from “ă,” Romanian has other unique sounds represented by the letters “î” and “â.” While they sound the same, their usage is rooted in historical orthographic rules. “Δ is used at the beginning and end of words, while “â” appears only inside words.

Conclusion:

Romanian’s intriguing blend of Latin core and diverse influences offers a unique linguistic journey, reflecting the nation’s storied past at the crossroads of empires and cultures. As the whispers of history echo through its words, Romanian serves as a poignant reminder of Europe’s rich and intertwined linguistic tapestry. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or simply interested in Romania’s heritage, there’s no denying that this language holds captivating tales waiting to be discovered.