Sorbian Languages and Literatures

The aim of this page is to provide general information about the Sorbian languages and literatures for cataloging purposes.

1. Sorbian Languages in General

Historically, the Sorbian languages were also known as Wendish.

There are two Sorbian languages still extant: Upper Sorbian and Lower Sorbian. These two are considered to be different languages, not dialects of the same language.

The Lower Sorbs often refer to their language as Wendish, while the Upper Sorbs prefer Sorbian.

Linguistically, Lower Sorbian is more closely related to Polish, while Upper Sorbian is closer to the Czech and Slovak language group.

The Upper Sorbs reside in Upper Lusatia, the Lower Sorbs in Lower Lusatia.

The alphabet of these two Sorbian languages is based on the Latin script, with additions of the acute accent and the caron.

Tip: in the OCLC Diacritics and Special Characters table these Sorbian diacritics are listed under “Wendic”, with no discernment between these two languages. The list also includes the upper- and lowercase crossed-L.

Image: OCLC special diacritics and characters, those used for the Sorbian languages are highlighted in blue

2. MARC Language Notes and Codes

In bibliographic records, an entry for the Sorbian language in a 546 language note field is encouraged, especially for pointing out in which Sorbian language the publication is.

For older materials, mainly World War II or older, mostly the Fraktur typeface was used for prints. Such a note is usually added to the 546 field.

Examples (in MARC format):

AACR2 RDA

546 In Upper Sorbian ‡b (in Fraktur typeface) 546 Upper Sorbian; ‡b in Fraktur typeface.

546 In Lower Sorbian ‡b (in Fraktur typeface) 546 Lower Sorbian; ‡b in Fraktur typeface.

However, if the identification of the typeface does not end the field, then the tagging for the subfield is left off.

Examples (in MARC format):

546 Upper Sorbian (Fraktur typeface), with summary in German.

546 Lower Sorbian (Fraktur typeface), with summary in Upper Sorbian.

For Upper Sorbian, use the language code hsb, regardless of typeface.

For Lower Sorbian, use the language code dsb, regardless of typeface.

For mixed materials containing both Sorbian languages, or if in doubt, the language code wen is used, regardless of typeface.

To discern between the two Sorbian languages, please consult the chapter Distinguishing between Upper and Lower Sorbian.

3. Subject Headings for Sorbian languages

Established subject headings for Sorbian languages are found in ClassWeb (https://classweb.org/Auto/). Those start as:

Sorbian languages

Lower Sorbian language

Upper Sorbian language

In addition, there are subject headings that deal with the influence of Sorbian on surrounding languages, and conversely, of surrounding languages on Sorbian.

Examples:

Czech language–Influence on Sorbian

German language–Foreign elements–Sorbian

German language–Influence on Sorbian

Sorbian languages–Foreign elements–German

Sorbian languages–Foreign words and phrases

Sorbian languages–Foreign words and phrases–Czech

Sorbian languages–Foreign words and phrases–German

Sorbian languages–Influence on German

For a listing of classification numbers on language-related topics please consult the chapter Sorbian LC Classification Numbers for Literature and Language.

4. Subject Headings for Sorbian Literatures

Very few subject headings exist for Sorbian literatures.

Examples:

Sorbian drama

Sorbian essays

Sorbian fiction

Sorbian literature

Sorbian poetry

Sorbian prose literature

Upper Sorbian literature

Upper Sorbian poetry

5. Other Related Subject Headings

There are a few headings where the reference to the Sorbs is not in the first position (e.g.: Almanacs, Sorbian). Those can be accessed through the USE reference from the list of headings that starts with: Sorbian …

In addition to the aforementioned fixed subject headings, free-floating subdivisions can be applied, e.g. –Translations into Upper Sorbian, –Films for Lower Sorbian speakers, etc.

For a listing of classification numbers on literature-related topics please consult the chapter Sorbian LC Classification Numbers for Literature and Language.

Submitted by Milan Pohontsch, July 2023