The Croatian language belongs to the Slavic family of languages and, more specifically, to the Southern Slavic languages. Croatia has been known by its national Croatian name for over one thousand years of its history. Other names like Illyrian, Slavic, Bosnian, and Dalmatian have been used as synonyms for “Croatian.”

The origin of the oldest Croatian alphabet, Glagolitsa, are still uncertain. It flourished among the Croatians particularly along the Adriatic coast. However, from the 15th Century, its use was reduced mainly to the needs of the church. Along with the Latin language, Croatian, written in the Glagolitic script, was also used in liturgy and reluctantly tolerated by the Vatican. Some parts of Croatia used the vernacular in the church liturgy from the Middle Ages to Vatican II (1960s).

The oldest document in which the Croatian language is mentioned by its names dates from 1177 when Pope Alexander III visited Zadar.

The Croatian language consists of three dialects: Kaykavian, Chakavian, and Shtokavian. The roles of these dialects in the different periods varied, but all three dialects have fulfilled the function of a literary language.