| Abstract: | The use of Latin script for the Lithuanian language was banned during the period 1864–1904, during which time Cyrillic letters were introduced. Jonas Ju?ka's (1867) and Eduardas Volteris’ (1887) efforts to modify the Russian Cyrillic alphabet for Lithuanian texts were most notable, with both Ju?ka and Volteris adding new letters to and avoiding many traditional letters from the Russian alphabet. They modified the Russian Cyrillic alphabet to such an extent that a reader could even get confused if the Russian letters were read with some Latin insertions, or if Latin letters were read with certain Cyrillic elements. Their efforts were later partially accepted by others and many Lithuanian books in the Cyrillic script started to include the letter , even though this letter was specifically criticized by Russian Orthodox priests. All models of the Cyrillic alphabet for Lithuanian were discontinued, however, after the ban on Latin letters was lifted. |
