Intercultural aspects of bosančica

Abstract

This paper analyzes the intercultural aspects of bosančica, a script used in Bosnia, Dalmatia, parts of Croatia, and Montenegro from the Middle Ages until the 19th century. The analysis is conducted within historical, philological, and cultural frameworks, exploring the roles of bosančica as a means of intercultural exchange among different religious and ethnic groups. The intercultural dimensions of bosančica are evident in its use in trade, diplomatic, and legal relations between Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Muslims. Its adaptability is visible in Ottoman, Venetian, and Ragusan documents, where bosančica served as a bridge between Byzantine, Ottoman, and Western European cultures. The script was used in administrative and private documents, church books, and charters of Bosnian bans and kings. Bosančica was a symbol of regional identity and political autonomy, particularly reflected in the charters of Bosnian rulers, which are the focus of our research. In the final part of the paper, we conclude that bosančica was a key tool of intercultural communication. Although its use declined in the 19th century, bosančica still retains symbolic significance in the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina and should be more actively promoted.