Preliminary communication
Contribution to Understanding German-Croatian Language Contact in Križevci
Valentina Papić
; College of Agriculture at Križevci, Križevci, Croatia
Renata Husinec
; College of Agriculture at Križevci, Križevci, Croatia
Abstract
Influence of German language on speech of population of North-West Croatia is evident based on a large number of incorporated loan-words that found their place in the Croatian language under the influence of historic, cultural and political events from the 17th century until the preset day. These loan-words are primarily present in informal use of spoken language, and almost non-existent in the written language, except in literature written in Kajkavian dialect. Language contacts are present wherever two or more nations have the need to establish some sort of communication, whereby historic and geographic characteristics are of utmost importance, since they enable language contact and mutual influence between the languages on phonological, morphological, lexical or syntagmatic level. The period of Military Frontier with large number of German soldiers, Maria Theresa’s education policy, Jews, German and Austrian entrepreneurs and craftsmen marked the development of the spoken language in Križevci, distinguished by a large number of incorporated German loan-words. In the 20th century the influence of the German language is gradually reduced, and after World War II German is often avoided and stigmatized because of its negative and unwanted connotations. Political, cultural and economic issues in the 21st century differ to a large extent from the ones that marked the period from 17. – 20. century, when German-Croatian language contact in Križevci experienced its greatest intensity due to military and political alliance with the German speaking countries (Military Frontier, Austrian-Hungarian Empire), and are characterized by weakened influence of German language, especially among young population. Mass media brought strong and unrestrainable influence of the English language and additionally suppressed influence of the German language. The number of children learning German in primary and secondary schools is constantly decreasing. This proves that language, especially its lexical level, is subject to change caused by social, economic and political situation.
Keywords
german-croatian language contact; historical overview; social and political factors; Križevci
Hrčak ID:
77664
URI
Publication date:
1.11.2010.
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