Bosnian is the official language spoken in Sarajevo, but you’ll find that many locals, particularly the younger generation and those in the city center, speak English well, especially in cafes, shops, and tourist areas. The language barrier isn’t as significant as in some other countries, but it’s always a good idea to make an effort to understand the basics, as it will go a long way in building relationships and feeling more integrated. Bosnians know their language is crazy difficult and will be honoured and super encouraging if you manage to learn a handful of words and can pronounce them well. They’ll get super happy, compliment you, and may even give you a small round of applause. They seem to be so happy and even honoured that someone is willing to attempt to learn their language, which makes for such a lovely experience!
Looking at you, mysterious large European country with a language full of silent letters and surprise pronunciations, where attempting to speak without perfection often earns a blank stare instead of encouragement 🙂 If only everyone could be as kind and supportive as Bosnians when someone’s trying to learn their language!