The national language of Montenegro is a language called Montenegrin, but, as you’ll discover, there are other languages spoken in the country.

This article looks at the Montenegrin language and its origins alongside the other languages commonly spoken in Montenegro.

What Is The Official Language Of Montenegro?

Montenegrin is the main official language of Montenegro, as enshrined in the country’s 

constitution.

This is because, in Montenegro, language has always been an essential component of maintaining Montenegrin identity throughout the nation’s history.

Maintaining this identity was particularly important to Montenegrins when the country was a single constituent of communist Yugoslavia (SFR).

Following the fall of communism, Montenegro joined Serbia to form a new country that would eventually be known as Serbia and Montenegro, where the Serbian language was in official use.

Serbia and Montenegro officially parted ways in 2006, following a Montenegrin referendum on independence, with both countries making their EU membership bids shortly after.

A New Constitution

Montenegro’s 2007 constitution states that the Montenegrin language is now the sole official language of the fledgling nation. Prior to this, Montenegrins were generally encouraged to communicate in accordance with the wishes of the politicians in Belgrade.

Having regained independence as a brand new democratic nation, the new government in Podgorica now faced a dilemma. By adopting Montenegrin for official use, they now needed to answer the question of how to now use it, officially, that is.

Use Of The Montenegrin Language

Montenegrin belongs to the Serbo-Croatian language family, which also includes the Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian languages.

From a strictly linguistic standpoint, these languages are all very similar, so although they may phrase things differently due to varying dialects, in most cases, speakers of one language can readily understand the other.

Of the three, it bears the closest similarity to the Serbian language, which is also widely spoken throughout the country.

What Is The Language Of Montenegro?

While the 2006 referendum on independence was won by a sizable majority, the result was hardly a landslide.

Therefore, in Montenegro, language often has as much to do with identity politics as it has to do with linguistics, with some asserting that Montenegrin is a Serbian dialect rather than a language.

Montenegrin has specific dialects of its own, and there are other linguistic differences between it and Serbian, including pronunciation and words. But these differences are not so vast as to get in the way of mutual comprehension. And in many cases, the extent of these differences often depends on who you talk to.

Similar debates (Bavarian or German, Flemish or Dutch, etc.) about languages are common throughout Europe. But what makes the debate unique in this instance is the fact that it’s not just linguistic or political, it’s also alphabetical. 

Does Montenegro Use The Cyrillic Or Latin Alphabet?

So here’s an interesting fact about Montenegro – it has two official alphabets.

Again this is to accommodate the preferences of the population as a whole, some of whom prefer to use the Serbian Cyrillic alphabet.

In Serbia, both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets are used. So following independence, Montenegro opted to do the same.

In western Europe, and indeed western countries in general, Latin alphabets are used exclusively. So although there may be some differences in the letters and accents used, words in one language mostly look the same.

As you travel further east, however, you encounter the Cyrillic alphabet, a closer descendent of the Greek alphabet than the Latin one. So, to western eyes, many letters look quite different compared to familiar Latin letters. (You may, for example, have noticed this when you first saw Russian language text.)

Other countries in the region using Cyrillic for their written words include Bulgaria and Macedonia, while Croatian, Bosnian and Albanian all use the Latin alphabet.

Both Serbian and Montenegrin languages, however, employ both alphabets, so how you decide to write a word is really a case of which alphabet you feel most comfortable with.

Montenegro is a new country, and while Montenegrin may not be a new language, its official usage is still a recent phenomenon, so a period of adjustment is normal.

And, as the country continues its discussions to join the European Union, it is also mindful of the EU’s guidelines regarding the protection of minority languages.

Minority Languages In Montenegro

There are currently three recognized minority languages in Montenegro; Bosnian, Croatian, and Albanian, reflecting the varying demographics within the country.

What Other Languages Do They Speak In Montenegro?

In addition to Montenegrin, Serbian, and the minority languages mentioned above, there is also a strong expat community in the country.

With Italy located just across the Adriatic sea, it should be no surprise to learn that small pockets of Italian speakers reside in the country. 

Other languages you might encounter are German and French, alongside other EU citizens who left their native countries to enjoy Montenegro’s warm summers and breathtaking scenery.

A considerable number of the population also speaks Russian. This is partially due to the country’s communist past, when learning the language was encouraged, plus deep cultural ties to the Russian people and their shared Eastern Orthodox Christian heritage, not to mention all the Russian-speaking tourists visiting over the years.

As a popular tourist destination, it makes sense for locals, especially younger people, to speak as many languages as they can, and of course, that includes English.

Do They Speak English In Montenegro?

Yes. Though as with any European country, you are more likely to encounter English speakers in urban areas and popular tourist spots. As you go further afield and explore the country more, levels of fluency may vary.

We Speak Your Language

At The Best Adriatic law firm, we believe clear communication is one of the cornerstones of good business. That’s why we always provide practical, actionable advice in plain English – guaranteed no jargon or legalese. 

So if you are an investor looking to take advantage of the lucrative real estate market, talk to us about how to invest in Montenegro today.