The Bulgarian language (or български език, pronounced [ˈbəlgarski ɛz’ik] in Bulgarian) is known to be the first written Slavic language (9th century A.D.). There are 3 periods in the evolution of the language – Old, Middle and Modern Bulgarian, the latter dates from as far back as the 16th century. Several characteristics set this language apart from all the other Slavic languages: the elimination of case declension, the development of a suffixed definite article, the lack of a verb infinitive and the existence of evidential verb forms expressing unwitnessed, retold, and doubtful action. Writing system: Cyrillic (Bulgarian alphabet) Official language in: Bulgaria; European Union; Mount Athos, Greece