Alphabetical Order of D and C in Serbo-Croatian: A Comprehensive Guide
When discussing the languages and alphabets of the Balkans, one often encounters the terms 'Serbo-Croatian' and 'Croato-Serbian'. Often, questions arise about the order of specific letters within these languages, particularly the positions of 'C' and 'D' in the alphabet. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the order in the Serbian and Croatian alphabets, with a special focus on how these letters are arranged in the former 'Croato-Serbian' language of Yugoslavia.
Understanding the Serbo-Croatian Alphabet
The Serbo-Croatian language, officially known as Hrvatskosrpski in Croatia and Srpskohrvatski in Serbia, is a South Slavic language. It was once written in a Cyrillic script, but since the standardization in the 19th century, the Latin alphabet has been predominantly used. This language united two distinct dialects, Shtokavian (which includes Chakavian and Kajkavian) and Kajkavian, each of which had its own traditions and written dialects.
The Alphabetical Order in Croato-Serbian
The dispute over the order of 'C' and 'D' in the alphabet is an interesting historical element of the Serbo-Croatian language, particularly in its 'Croato-Serbian' phase. Prior to the breakup of Yugoslavia, the 'Croato-Serbian' language (which never officially existed as a language, but rather as a way to denote a conjunct language used by Serbs and Croats) followed a specific set of rules regarding the order of letters.
In the Croatian standard, which was part of the international standardization process, 'C' typically appears before 'D'. This can be observed in the Latin script, where the order is: A, B, C, ?, D, ?, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, ?, T, U, V, Z, ?. However, in the Serbo-Croatian language of Yugoslavia, 'D' was found to appear before 'C', creating a reverse order within the alphabet for certain standardizations.
The Disappearance of Croato-Serbian Language
The term 'Croato-Serbian' often refers to the joint language used by Serbs and Croats that existed in the pre-World War II period. However, this language was not recognized as a separate entity but was rather a mutual use of the same language with some variations. The break-up of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s led to the divergence of standardization processes in Croatia and Serbia, resulting in the declared standard languages of Croatian and Serbian, each with its own specific norms and alphabets.
The 'Croato-Serbian' language, a term that was more of a linguistic concept than a real language, ceased to exist as a distinct language. This is not due to the dissolution of Yugoslavia creating distinct languages, but rather due to the different standardization processes and the development of separate literary and educational systems in the constituent republics of Yugoslavia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the order of 'C' and 'D' in the Serbo-Croatian alphabet reflects a complex historical and linguistic context. In the standard Croatian system, 'C' precedes 'D', while in the 'Croato-Serbian' phase, 'D' appeared before 'C'. The breakup of Yugoslavia led to the emergence of distinct national literatures and alphabets, cease the use of the term 'Croato-Serbian' as a separate language. Understanding these nuances is crucial for anyone studying the languages and alphabets of the Balkans, providing insights into the complex cultural and linguistic heritage of the region.