Njemačko-hrvatski jezični dodiri u Podravini
German and Croatian Sociolinguistic Relations in Đurđevac Area of the Podravina Region

Summary/Abstract: In early 13th century first settlers from German speaking countries began arriving in Croatia, where they took part in foundation of the first Croatian cities. These connections intensified during and after 16th century, when Croatia became part of the Habsburg Monarchy. Austrians established Military border in the Croatian areas, as a defensive belt against Turkish attacks. Đurđevac, part of the northern Croatian region of Podravina, also became part of the Military border. The official language in the Military border was German, and it was used by officers, state officials and craftsmen. The Croatian language was used by the local population. In 1871. Military border was abolished and administrative and legal use of German language disappeared. Nevertheless, because of the numerous geographical, economical and cultural conncetions with German speaking countries, German language remained the first and the most important foreign language in the Đurđevac region. As a result of German language presence in that region, population of Đurđevac continued using many words which originated in the German language. After World War II contacts with the German speaking world continued on individual basis, a German language was definied as a foreign language.

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