Curonian language

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The term Curonian language may refer to two different, but genetically related Baltic languages.

Old Curonian

Traditionally Curonian refers to an extinct language that was spoken by Curonians mainly in Courland peninsula, Western Latvia, and along the nearby Baltic shores. It belonged to the Baltic languages and was closely related to Old Prussian, with some influence from the Livonian language.

The language disappeared by the 17th century, leaving substrata in Western dialects of Latvian and Lithuanian languages. No written documents in this language are known, but some ancient Lithuanian texts from Western regions show influence of Curonian.

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New Curonian

In the process of various migrations of the 14th-17th centuries, Curonians settled in the Curonian Spit and in East Prussia. Their language was heavily influenced by Lithuanian and German respectively, and by the end of 18th century new Curonian dialects had formed, with the dialect of the Curonian Spit being notably distinct, due to its isolation from the mainland. The events of the first half of the 20th century, including Soviet occupation of the Baltic states and, later East Prussia, have led to the near extinction of the language, making it severely endangered. Several remaining language speakers live in Germany, having been expelled in the ethnic cleansing that took place in East Prussia after WWII. The enthusiasts of the Curonian language, Paul Kwauka and Richard Pietsch, have been trying to preserve knowledge about the language.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Baltic states are observing a revival of scientific and cultural interest in the extinct Baltic languages and tribes, including Yotvingian, Curonian, and others. An example is the documentary film Tarp 8 vėjų ("Amidst 8 Winds") by Arturas Barysas about the dwindling Curonian language.

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