Cyrillic Script Romania
Cyrillic Script and Romania
The Cyrillic script is a writing system developed in the First Bulgarian Empire during the 9th century AD, named after Saint Cyril, a Byzantine monk. It was initially used for the Old Church Slavonic language and subsequently adapted for many other languages, primarily for Slavic languages. Over time, the script spread across Eurasia and became the designated national script in various countries.
The Cyrillic Script in Romania
The Romanian Cyrillic alphabet was the version of the Cyrillic script used to write the Romanian language and Church Slavonic from the 14th century until the mid 19th century. Romania’s use of Cyrillic script is intricately tied to its cultural and religious history, reflecting the influence of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Slavic customs.
Historical Context
Romania has a complex and layered history of linguistic evolution and cultural influence. The use of Cyrillic script in Romanian territories began in medieval times when regions such as Wallachia and Moldavia were heavily influenced by Slavic culture and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The script was used in a variety of contexts, including religious texts, official documents, and literary works.
During the Middle Ages, Romanian territories were often under the influence of Slavic rulers and the script became a practical tool for communication and administration. The Principality of Moldavia and the Principality of Wallachia were among the regions where the Romanian Cyrillic alphabet was predominantly used.
Transition to Latin Script
By the 19th century, as Romanian nationalism began to rise and the country sought closer ties with Western Europe, there was a movement to adopt the Latin script to align with Romania’s Latin roots. This transition was part of a broader cultural and political movement known as the Romanian National Awakening, which aimed to promote Romanian identity and heritage.
The transition from Cyrillic to Latin script was not just a linguistic shift but also a political statement, aligning Romania more closely with Western Europe rather than the Slavic and Orthodox East. This change was formalized by the mid-19th century, and by 1862, official documents were predominantly written in Latin script.
Cyrillic Script Today
While the Cyrillic script is no longer used in Romania, it remains an important part of the historical and cultural narrative of the country. Today, the script is still used in various Slavic languages and countries, such as Russia, Bulgaria, and Serbia.