The Czech lands have a layered linguistic history shaped by migration, empire, and local traditions, so the country’s language map includes more than just Czech and Slovak. Traces of ancient Celtic presence, medieval Jewish life, and Roma communities all leave linguistic footprints worth exploring.
There are 8 Indigenous Languages in Czech Republic, ranging from Celtic (Boii/Gaulish) to Yiddish. For each entry you’ll find below the key details organized by ISO code,Speakers,Regions / status so you can quickly compare current use, geographic spread, and official recognition—you’ll find below.
How were these languages chosen as indigenous in the Czech Republic?
Selections are based on historical presence and continuous community use within the territory now known as the Czech Republic, supported by linguistic studies, historical records, and minority language surveys; the notes below indicate whether a language is historically attested, revivable, or still actively spoken.
Where can I find reliable data on speaker numbers and regional status?
Look to national censuses, academic linguistic surveys, and specialized NGOs; the table below cites ISO codes and recent speaker estimates where available, and the Regions / status column summarizes legal recognition or community vitality.
Indigenous Languages in Czech Republic
| Language | ISO code | Speakers | Regions / status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czech | cs | 10,400,000 | Nationwide; official language; not endangered |
| German | de | 18,000 | Bohemia/Moravia/Silesia; recognized minority; reduced after 1945 |
| Polish | pl | 40,000 | Moravian-Silesian (Zaolzie); recognized national minority |
| Silesian | szl | 15,000 | Czech Silesia; not officially recognized; vulnerable |
| Romani | rom | 20,000 | Moravia/Silesia; recognized minority; endangered varieties |
| Yiddish | yi | 300 | Prague/Bohemia; heritage language; severely endangered |
| Old Czech | 0 | Historic Bohemia/Moravia; extinct (historical ancestor) | |
| Celtic (Boii/Gaulish) | 0 | Pre-Slavic Bohemia; extinct ancient Celtic language |
Images and Descriptions
Czech
West Slavic language that evolved from Old Czech; dominant vernacular of Bohemia and Moravia. Official language of the Czech Republic with about 10,400,000 speakers. Strong institutional support, taught nationwide, rich literary history from medieval chronicles to modern literature and media.
German
Germanic Sudeten German varieties were native across borderlands of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Once a large community pre-1945, about 18,000 speakers remain. Recognized minority with cultural associations; community shrank dramatically after WWII expulsions.
Polish
West Slavic Polish has long been spoken in the Těšín/Zaolzie area of Czech Silesia and nearby Moravia. Around 40,000 speakers live in Czechia today. Recognized as a national minority with bilingual schooling and municipal language-use rights in some areas.
Silesian
Silesian (szl) is a West Slavic lect spoken in Czech Silesia, historically related to Polish and Czech. An estimated 15,000 speakers live in Czechia. Considered a separate language by some, it lacks official recognition and faces declining intergenerational transmission.
Romani
Indo-Aryan Romani dialects have been present in Czech lands for centuries. Approximately 20,000 speakers are concentrated in Moravia and Silesia. Recognized as a national minority; dialect diversity and social marginalization contribute to varying levels of endangerment.
Yiddish
Yiddish was the everyday language of Ashkenazi Jews in Bohemia and Moravia for centuries. Today roughly 300 speakers remain in Czechia. Once culturally central, the language declined after the Holocaust and assimilation; now a severely endangered regional heritage language.
Old Czech
Old Czech (early West Slavic forms) was spoken in medieval Bohemia and Moravia and developed into modern Czech. No native speakers remain. It is crucial for Czech literary history, surviving in medieval documents, charters and early religious texts.
Celtic (Boii/Gaulish)
Celtic languages (Boii/Gaulish) were spoken in pre-Slavic Bohemia by the Boii tribe in antiquity. Extinct by the early medieval period, their legacy survives in archaeological finds and toponyms (e.g., the name “Bohemia”); no modern speakers.
