Balkan Sprachbund Theory as a Research Paradigm
-
Andrey N. Sobolev
Abstract
This chapter1 deals with the theoretical foundations of Balkan Sprachbund studies: their purpose and aims, terminology and methods, and the areal and intralinguistic evidence for the regularity of contact-induced Balkanization processes on the peninsula. Instead of deconstruction, Balkan Sprachbund theory is supported by positivism, historicism, structuralism, social relevance and sufficient field data. These together demonstrate that it is possible to acquire new and profound insights into linguistic convergence in general and to provide Balkan linguistics with paradigms for research and models of interpretation. The concepts of linguistic boundary, dialect, regular correspondences in the functions of linguistic units, parallel grammaticalization, lexicalization, and semantic neutralization are stressed as crucial for understanding the nature of linguistic and cultural convergence and divergence that may manage to either evade or intensify identity loss. I argue that a facts-on-the-ground-based Sprachbund theory is capable of making predictions on the basis of the regularity of linguistic convergence in the Balkans. It is further argued that, for the first time in Balkan linguistics, thorough attention is being paid to bilingual symbiotic groups in zones of ongoing intimate contact on the part of the language and speech behaviour of their members.
Abstract
This chapter1 deals with the theoretical foundations of Balkan Sprachbund studies: their purpose and aims, terminology and methods, and the areal and intralinguistic evidence for the regularity of contact-induced Balkanization processes on the peninsula. Instead of deconstruction, Balkan Sprachbund theory is supported by positivism, historicism, structuralism, social relevance and sufficient field data. These together demonstrate that it is possible to acquire new and profound insights into linguistic convergence in general and to provide Balkan linguistics with paradigms for research and models of interpretation. The concepts of linguistic boundary, dialect, regular correspondences in the functions of linguistic units, parallel grammaticalization, lexicalization, and semantic neutralization are stressed as crucial for understanding the nature of linguistic and cultural convergence and divergence that may manage to either evade or intensify identity loss. I argue that a facts-on-the-ground-based Sprachbund theory is capable of making predictions on the basis of the regularity of linguistic convergence in the Balkans. It is further argued that, for the first time in Balkan linguistics, thorough attention is being paid to bilingual symbiotic groups in zones of ongoing intimate contact on the part of the language and speech behaviour of their members.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Editor’s Preface V
- Contents XI
- Contemporary Language Contacts in the Balkans: Situations and Outcomes 1
- Separation and Symbiosis between Slavs and Albanians as Continuum of Linguistic Contact Situations: New Challenges for New Data 27
- Mutual Understanding among Albanians, Slavs and Aromanians in Prespa, North Macedonia: Perfect Tense as a Perfect Tool 59
- “Balanced Language Contact” in Social Context: Velja Gorana in Southern Montenegro 89
- Symbiosis Suspectus: Palasa in Himara, Albania 135
- Minority within a Minority: Iabalcea and Carașova in Romania 157
- Evidence for Past Coexistence: Romance Stratum in Croatian Glagolitic Sources from Krk, Croatia 189
- Reconstructing Past Coexistence: Problems and Mysteries in the Multilingual History of Tsakonia, Greece 215
- Convergence and Failure to Converge in Relative Social Isolation: Balkan Judezmo 265
- Balkan Sprachbund Theory as a Research Paradigm 285
- Abbreviations 315
- Index of names 317
- Index of places 322
- Authors’ profiles 327
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Editor’s Preface V
- Contents XI
- Contemporary Language Contacts in the Balkans: Situations and Outcomes 1
- Separation and Symbiosis between Slavs and Albanians as Continuum of Linguistic Contact Situations: New Challenges for New Data 27
- Mutual Understanding among Albanians, Slavs and Aromanians in Prespa, North Macedonia: Perfect Tense as a Perfect Tool 59
- “Balanced Language Contact” in Social Context: Velja Gorana in Southern Montenegro 89
- Symbiosis Suspectus: Palasa in Himara, Albania 135
- Minority within a Minority: Iabalcea and Carașova in Romania 157
- Evidence for Past Coexistence: Romance Stratum in Croatian Glagolitic Sources from Krk, Croatia 189
- Reconstructing Past Coexistence: Problems and Mysteries in the Multilingual History of Tsakonia, Greece 215
- Convergence and Failure to Converge in Relative Social Isolation: Balkan Judezmo 265
- Balkan Sprachbund Theory as a Research Paradigm 285
- Abbreviations 315
- Index of names 317
- Index of places 322
- Authors’ profiles 327
