engleski

Contact phenomena in the verbal complex: The Walser connection in the Alpine area

In the context of the Alps – a broad region characterized by common geographical and cultural features – the isolation caused by the geographical setting makes it possible for conservative strategies to survive from the Middle Ages through present times. This isolation, however, does not exclude that con- servative patterns evolve into innovative strategies. To illustrate this, we surveyed causative and progressive constructions in the historical German minority vari- eties on the southern side of the Alps. Greschòneytitsch, a particularly dynamic variety, shows the remarkable development of a causative particle, tònz, and the grammaticalization of an adverb, eister, into a marker of progressive aspect.

causative constructions ; grammaticalization ; linguistic area ; progres- sive constructions ; Walser German

nije evidentirano