Professional paper

Istroromanians – Language and Community

Daniela Katunar ; Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

This paper deals with the sociolinguistic situation concerning Istroromanian language, and presents short overview of the Istroromanian community’s history. Istroromanian language is being spoken in two areas in Istrian peninsula – in the north, in the village of Žejane, and in the south, in the Čepić’s field area. There are altogether only two hundred speakers, so it can surely be claimed that this language is highly endangered. Migrations, linguistic assimilation to the dominant Croatian ethnic group and lack of the state initiative, as well as unawareness of the very speakers of the relation between their language and their particular national identity, are the main reasons of its inevitable extinction.

Keywords

Istroromanians; Istroromanian language; Žejane; Čepić’s field; assimilation; identity

Hrčak ID:

21780

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/21780

Publication date:

25.1.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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