Accessibility links

Breaking News

Belarusian Authorities To Abolish Latin Transliteration Of Geographic Locations


The historic Latin-based alphabet was used by Belarusians from the 16th century until the 1930s. (file photos)
The historic Latin-based alphabet was used by Belarusians from the 16th century until the 1930s. (file photos)

Belarusian authorities have decided to give up transliterating geographic names in Latin. A letter by the chief of the presidential office dated December 21 appeared on the Internet on January 10 saying that the decision was made to stop using the Latin variant of the language on signs and objects. The historic Latin-based alphabet was used by Belarusians from the 16th century until the 1930s. In 2014, that variant of the alphabet, along with Cyrillic, started being used in Belarus to mark structures and places. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service is one of the leading providers of news and analysis to Belarusian audiences in their own language. It is a bulwark against pervasive Russian propaganda and defies the government’s virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG