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Glite Dictionary
Old Church Slavonic

Old Church Slavonic

9.9
An early Slavic language used in the ninth century to translate the Bible and other church texts
  • noun
  • Literature
translation icon : eslavo eclesiástico antiguo
  • The first translation of the Bible into Old Church Slavonic was completed by Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Examples

  • Many manuscripts in Old Church Slavonic have been preserved in monasteries.

  • Linguists study Old Church Slavonic to understand the early development of Slavic languages.

  • The first translation of the Bible into Old Church Slavonic was completed by Saints Cyril and Methodius.

  • Many scholars study Old Church Slavonic for its historical significance.

  • Did you know that Old Church Slavonic was used in the 9th century?

  • Linguists study Old Church Slavonic to understand the early development of Slavic languages.

  • Many manuscripts in Old Church Slavonic have been preserved in monasteries.

Synonyms

Old Church Slavic
vsOld Church Slavonic
  • Literature
9.9

An old written Slavic language used to translate the Bible for early Christians in the ninth century

is the same meaning but presented as an alternative name
Old Bulgarian language
vsOld Church Slavonic
  • Literature
9.9

A first Slavic written language used to translate the Bible and church texts in the Middle Ages

is the key term focusing on ninth century religious translations
Old Bulgarian
vsOld Church Slavonic
  • Literature
9.9

A very old Slavic language used in the 9th–11th centuries for early Bible translations

is narrower and centers on ninth century religious translations
Church Slavic
vsOld Church Slavonic
  • Literature
9.9

A literary Slavic language that Orthodox churches use for worship and Bible translation

is the earlier language used to make those foundational translations
Church Slavic language
vsOld Church Slavonic
  • Literature
9.9

A Slavic language used in Orthodox church services, based on Old Church Slavonic from the 9th century

is the original source language that those liturgical forms are based on

Surface Forms

Old Church Slavonic singular
Old Church Slavonics plural

Morphology

old + church + Slavonic

The term is compositionally built from 'old' (earlier historical stage) + 'church' (liturgical/religious) + 'Slavonic' (a Slavic language group), so a learner who knows the parts can infer it refers to an earlier liturgical Slavic language. This follows a common cross-linguistic naming pattern for historical languages (e.g. 'Old English'), making the meaning predictable to B1 learners.

Etymology

Old Church Slavonic is called that because it was the old Slavic language used in the church for religious books. Saints Cyril and Methodius made an alphabet and used it 'to translate' the Bible into Slavic, so the name reminds us it was the first written Slavic language for church use.