The Czech language (or čeština, pronounced [ˈtʃeʃtina] in Czech) is spoken by approximately 12 million people, thereof over 10 million in the Czech Republic. The first Czech language has developed itself from the Proto-Slavic language short after the first Bohemian state emerged in the late 9th century when it was unified by the Premyslid dynasty. According to a legend, the name čeština or “Czech” is derived from the name of Forefather Čech, who brought the tribe of Czechs into its land. Writing system: Latin script (Czech alphabet) Official language in: Czech Republic, European Union