Original scientific paper
THE VOCALISM OF ZAGLAV’S SPEECH ON DUGI OTOK
Robert Špralja
orcid.org/0000-0001-6354-6543
; Sali, Dugi Otok
Abstract
Based on decades of field research, this work contains a description of the vocal characteristics of the local speech of Zaglav, on Dugi Otok (Long Island), which belongs to the mid-chakavian dialect. We were further motivated to take this course thanks to the oversights of previous researchers, as well as the lightning fast shifts that we have been witness to among our younger generations. The state we observed was compared to the other chakavian speeches present on Dugi Otok. The presentation is synchronic in principle, and diachronic where necessary.
We have come to the conclusion that the speech of more conservative speakers tends to preserve its chakavian elements, while there is a lot of innovation among the less conservative. For example, with the latter group, there is an insignificant or weak closure on vocals, and weak affirmation on the secondary . More conservative speakers only use a more open pronunciation of vocals in stylized speech. Native preposition-pronoun links, such as nậ v(i), pọ̑ t(i), uzậ k(i), are based on na (o)vậj, po tậj, uz kȋ among non-conservative speakers. We observed an insignificantly smaller number of ekavisms relative to the speeches from Savra to Veli Rat, and a notably larger one than with those in Sali, contrary to Finka’s estimates. Most examples of strong vocals, such as the a as a reflex of the front nasal, and a notable number of ekavisms, are lost among younger generations.
Based on the prevalent tendencies in the speech of the younger generations, the question of the future survival of the observed idiom (alongside all of the others in Zadar’s island range) arises, as well as that of the need to take certain steps so as to at least slow down the rate of these linguistic changes.
Keywords
chakavian; mid-chakavian dialect; vocalism; archaism; innovation; Zaglav
Hrčak ID:
168967
URI
Publication date:
11.11.2016.
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