Perceptions of the Native Language Variant among South Samogitians: Naming and Evaluation

Abstract

This article focuses on the nominations and perceptions of one’s own linguistic variant within the Southern Samogitian subdialect of Varniai, which are analysed using geolinguistic and perceptual dialectological methodologies. Recognition of one’s own linguistic variant is based on the study of dialect competence and dialect image displayed by regular members of the speech community. Dialect competence encompasses all stereotypical characteristics of the language variant and its user formed within one’s subconscious, while dialect images result from stereotypical similarities and/or differences between linguistic features.

According to the subjects analysed, the process of replacing the Standard Lithuanian pronunciation of uo or o for ū (dūnininkavimas), which is the main and distinctive characteristic of the Southern Samogitian subdialect of Varniai, is reflected only in the language of the very oldest members of this speech community. Younger generations and individuals who have arrived here from other parts of the country are perceived as using a variant mixed with either Standard Lithuanian (or the Aukštaitian dialect identified with it) or with other Samogitian subdialects. Reduced endings are seen as the most typical feature which helps to identify one’s own linguistic variant.

Geographical (spatial) distance is one of the main factors affecting the nomination of one’s own linguistic variant. Speakers of the Varniai subdialect typically assign to their variant the name of their residential area or the administrative (municipality) centre they are migrating to.

The study also shows that older and oldest generation speakers of the Varniai subdialect believe that young people do not use the dialect, while the image of their own variant prevalent amongst the younger generation is closer to Standard Lithuanian. Both of these findings suggest a convergence of dialectal and standard language within the Varniai subdialect, with characterisations and nominations pointing towards the linguistic heterogeneity of this dialectal area.