Together with the USSR, the times when inscriptions on goods were made mainly in Russian were gone. Today, more and more often, buying a box of chocolates or a new outfit, one can see the phrase “made in” on it that has got a sore throat. Moreover, if the names of countries such as China, Taiwan, Thailand, India, the USA, France, Germany and the like have long been familiar to the consumer, then others may be confused. For example: made in Lithuania. What kind of country is hiding under this term? Let's find out.
What kind of country is Lithuania
Under this unusual phrase is a state that is well known to most residents of the Slavic countries. Indeed, in translation into Russian, Lithuania is Lithuania.
This state was a part of the USSR in the last century, therefore until 1991 it was called - the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (abbreviated as "LSSR", not to be confused with Latvia - LSSR). In this regard, many do not know how to spell the name of this country in English. Indeed, until the nineties, all products manufactured by Lithuanians were labeled “Made in the Lithuanian SSR”, and not as made today in Lithuania.
How to pronounce this word in English?
Having learned what kind of country Lithuania is, you should pay attention to the pronunciation of its English name.
Depending on whether it is British or American, the sound of this noun is slightly different.
So the British say - [lɪθuˈeɪnɪə], and the Americans sometimes use the letter "j" in pronunciation: [lɪθ (j) u: ˈeɪnɪə]. The difference is small, but it is.
How do the Lithuanians themselves name their country (the word Lithuania in Lithuanian)?
Unlike English-speaking people, the inhabitants of Lithuania themselves call their homeland - Lietuva.
The etymology of this noun is difficult to determine today. There are several theories, but not one of them has enough evidence.
According to one, it is generally accepted that this word is derived from the name of the Letavka river flowing through this territory.
Other linguists believe that the term "Lithuania" came from the name of another reservoir - Latava.
It is worth noting that the problem is not only the etymology of the word being studied, but also the location of the country.
The fact is that before the formation of the first state on its territory, a similar name was given to Slovakia (Lytva) and Romania (Litua).
What is Lithuania called in other Slavic and non-Slavic languages?
Studying the question “What country is Lithuania?”, It is worth paying attention to what this state is called in different languages.
So, the Slavs usually do not particularly change this noun in their languages. For example, in the Ukrainians - this is Lithuania, among the Belarusians - Lithuania, among the Bulgarians - Lithuania, among the Czechs - Litva, among the Poles - Litwa, etc.
In the languages of other peoples, this country (Lithuania) has a translation significantly different from its original name. So the Germans - this is Litauen, the French - Lituanie, the Italians and Spaniards - Lituania. This is not to mention languages with excellent structure, such as Chinese or Yiddish.
The theory of why in non-Slavic languages the name of Lithuania is significantly different from the original
Having learned what kind of country Lithuania is and how its name is translated into the most famous languages of the world, it is worth trying to figure out why. Indeed, even modern Lithuanians complain about a name so different from the original and unpronounceable, dreaming of changing it.
As already mentioned above, in the early centuries (X-XII) Romania and Slovakia were called similar terms. Perhaps, in order not to create confusion with them, European chroniclers called Lithuania, "Lithuania." And later this name was fixed in most non-Slavic languages.
A little about the history of Lithuania
Having learned what country Lithuania is and theories about where this name came from, it is worth learning more about it. Like Poland, Russia, Latvia and Belarus bordering on it, this state has an ancient history.
The first full-fledged country was formed by the Lithuanians in the middle of the XIV century. Soon after, the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania expanded due to dynastic unions and conquests.
It is worth noting that by the end of the same century Lithuania owned the lion's share of the lands of modern Belarus and Ukraine, and this country was the largest in Europe.
However, prosperity did not last long. By the second half of the 16th century, Poland was becoming more influential in the region. Her king manages to persuade the head of the Principality of Lithuania to unite these countries. So there is the Commonwealth.
Despite the promised equality, Lithuania had little benefit from this alliance. After 2.5 centuries, it fell apart and the lands of both states were divided among themselves by their neighbors. Almost all of Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire.
In the following centuries, like Polish, Belarusian and Ukrainian culture, Lithuanian was subjected to attempts to assimilate Russian. However, like all of the above, these people managed to maintain their own uniqueness.
From the beginning of World War I, Lithuania was conquered by Germany. But by 1918, this state gained independence.
Not even a year had passed before the young country (together with the self-declared independent Ukraine) was forcibly joined to the USSR. It was combined with Belarus and named Litbel.
In the years to come before the Second World War, Lithuanian lands constantly tried to divide Germany, Poland and the USSR among themselves.
In 1940, the country finally lost its independence, becoming the Lithuanian SSR. In this case, up to the end of the 50s uprisings broke out in the country.
In the late 80s, Lithuanians managed to achieve independence, and this state was the first to leave the USSR, thus setting an example for others.
Today, Lithuania is a separate European country with a republican form of government. She is a member of the UN, NATO, the European Union and the World Trade Organization.
Despite very modest resources, the standard of living in this country is very high. However, after the 2008 global crisis, Lithuania managed to save its economy only through generous subsidies from the European Union.