Polabian is a now-extinct West Slavic language that was spoken by the Polabian Slavs in what is now northeastern Germany. It belonged to the Slavic language family and was closely related to other Slavic languages like Czech and Polish. The language was primarily used until the 18th century, when it gradually fell out of use due to Germanization. The Polabian people lived along the Elbe River and were known for their unique culture and traditions. Although the language is no longer spoken, some records and texts remain, providing insights into the linguistic and cultural history of the Slavic peoples in that region.