Sorbian studies

Sorbian studies is an academic discipline dealing with Sorbian language and literature.^[1][2] It is a subfield of Slavic studies.

Current situation

The only institute for Sorbian studies is at Leipzig University (German: Institut für Sorabistik; Upper Sorbian: Institut za sorabistiku).^[1] The University of Potsdam publishes the series Potsdamer Beiträge zur Sorabistik.^[3] Furthermore, the Sorbian Institute is conducting research in Sorbian studies and biannually publishes Lětopis, the only journal on Sorbian studies.^[4][5]

Students can earn a B.A. or an M.A. degree in Sorbian studies at Leipzig University. Furthermore, Sorbian language education degrees are available.^[6]

History

Initiated by Adolf Černý, Sorbian literature is taught at Charles University in Prague since the 19th century. Since 1933, there is a chair for Sorbian literature, first held by Josef Páta. In 1842, Jan Pětr Jordan, a Sorbian linguist, became lecturer of Slavistics with a special focus on Sorbian in Leipzig.^[7][4]

The history of institutionalized Sorbian studies began in the 1950s with the creation of the Sorbian Ethnological Institute in Bautzen and the Institute for Sorbian Studies in Leipzig.^[5][1]

Unlike students of most minor academic disciplines, Sorbian studies graduates are sought after in Lusatia, as the states of Saxony and Brandenburg guarantee that classes in Sorbian language are available.^[8][9]

Notable people

• Adolf Černý (1864–1952) from Czechia
• Jan Arnošt Smoler (1816–1884) from Germany
• Heinz Schuster-Šewc (1927–2021) from Germany
• Edward Wornar (born 1966) from Germany

Further reading

• Zeil, Wilhelm (1996). Sorabistik in Deutschland: eine wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Bilanz aus fünf Jahrhunderten. Schriften des Sorbischen Instituts (in German). Vol. 12. Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag. ISBN 3-7420-1679-2.