Editing Samogitian language (section)

== History ==
[[File:Baltic Tribes c 1200.svg|thumb|250px|right|The Samogitians, Lithuanians and other Baltic tribes, around the year 1200]]
The Samogitian language, heavily influenced by [[Curonian language|Curonian]], originated from the [[East Baltic languages|East Baltic]] proto-Samogitian dialect which was close to [[Aukštaitian dialect]]s.

During the 5th century, Proto-Samogitians migrated from the lowlands of central Lithuania, near [[Kaunas]], into the [[Dubysa]] and [[Jūra]] basins, as well as into the [[Samogitian Upland]]. They displaced or assimilated the local, Curonian-speaking [[Baltic peoples|Baltic]] populations. Further north, they displaced or assimilated the indigenous [[Semigallian language|Semigallian]]-speaking peoples. Assimilation of Curonians and Semigallians gave birth to the three Samogitian subdialects.

In the 13th century, Žemaitija became a part of the Baltic confederation called [[Duchy of Lithuania|Lietuva]] (Lithuania), which was formed by [[Mindaugas]]. Lithuania conquered the coast of the [[Baltic Sea]] from the [[Livonian order]]. The coast was populated by [[Curonians]], but became a part of [[Eldership of Samogitia|Samogitia]]. From the 13th century onwards, Samogitians settled within the former Curonian lands, and intermarried with the population over the next three hundred years. The Curonians were assimilated by the 16th century. Its [[Curonian language|dying language]] has influenced the dialect, in particular phonetics.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

The earliest writings in the Samogitian language appeared in the 19th century.