Lower Sorbian language

The Lower Sorbian literary standard was developed in the 18th century, based on a southern form of the Cottbus dialect.

The phonology of Lower Sorbian has been greatly influenced by contact with German, especially in Cottbus and larger towns.

For example, German-influenced pronunciation tends to have a voiced uvular fricative [ʁ] instead of the alveolar trill [r].

In villages and rural areas, German influence is less marked, and the pronunciation is more "typically Slavic".

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Lower Sorbian: Wšykne luźe su lichotne roźone a jadnake po dostojnosći a pšawach.