This paper deals with Development, Characteristics and Linguistic Nationalism of the Lithuanian Language. About 80 percent of the population in Lithuania are Lithuanians so more than three million people speak it as their mother tongue. It is spoken by the Lithuanian population, in some border areas of Poland and Belarus and by Lithuanian émigrés in other countries. The biggest émigré groups are living in the United States. The Lithuanian Language is only thought at 24 foreign universities, in 14 different countries.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Development of the Standard Lithuanian Language
- Linguistic Nationalism
- Characteristics of the Lithuanian Language
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to explore the development and socio-political significance of the Lithuanian language, focusing on its standardization process and the role it played in Lithuanian nationalism. It examines the historical context, linguistic influences, and the ongoing tension between preserving linguistic purity and adapting to modern language use.
- The development of Standard Lithuanian and the challenges involved in its creation.
- The role of linguistic nationalism in the survival and revival of the Lithuanian language.
- The influence of political forces (Russian and Polish empires, Soviet Union) on the Lithuanian language.
- The tension between maintaining linguistic purity and accommodating evolving language use.
- The impact of globalization and modern media on the Lithuanian language.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the context of the Lithuanian language, highlighting that it's the native tongue for over three million people primarily in Lithuania, with diaspora communities elsewhere. It briefly touches on the language's limited instruction at foreign universities, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of its history and development.
Development of the Standard Lithuanian Language: This chapter delves into the complex history of Standard Lithuanian's development, characterizing it as a late and consciously engineered standard. It explains the selection of the West-Highland dialect in the late 19th century due to its historical usage in writing and the presence of patriotic intellectuals from that region. The chapter details the role of Jonas Jablonskis and his 1901 grammar, highlighting the influence of comparative linguistics and the West-Highland dialect's archaic Indo-European features. The impact of political changes, including Russian rule and later Soviet influence, on language standardization is extensively explored, showing how efforts towards linguistic homogeneity sometimes clashed with reality. The chapter also discusses the post-Soviet era, the establishment of language police, and the resulting tension between official language policies and the everyday usage of the language. The ongoing gap between the idealized standard and actual spoken Lithuanian is a recurring theme, showcasing the complex interplay between linguistic norms and societal attitudes.
Linguistic Nationalism: This section examines the integral role of language in the Lithuanian nationalist movement. It emphasizes the precarious position of Lithuanian and Latvian as the only surviving Baltic languages, highlighting the linguistic pressure from Polish, Russian, and German. The chapter traces the historical context, from the multilingual Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the periods of Polish and Russian dominance, illustrating how Lithuanian was relegated to a peasant language. The chapter explores the significant influence of German scholarship on Lithuanian nationalism, particularly the linking of language to nationhood and the recognition of Lithuanian's importance within the Indo-European language family. It details the strategic efforts to elevate Lithuanian's status, countering the perceived superiority of Polish. The "made in Germany" aspect of Lithuanian linguistic nationalism, influenced by German linguistic thought, is a key theme.
Keywords
Standard Lithuanian, linguistic nationalism, language standardization, Indo-European languages, Baltic languages, Russification, Soviet influence, globalization, language policy, linguistic homogeneity, dialect, sociolinguistics, language ideology, national identity.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Lithuanian
What is the purpose of this text?
This text explores the development and socio-political significance of the Lithuanian language, focusing on its standardization process and its role in Lithuanian nationalism. It examines the historical context, linguistic influences, and the ongoing tension between preserving linguistic purity and adapting to modern language use.
What are the key themes covered in this text?
Key themes include the development of Standard Lithuanian and its challenges; the role of linguistic nationalism in the language's survival and revival; the influence of political forces (Russian and Polish empires, Soviet Union); the tension between maintaining linguistic purity and accommodating evolving language use; and the impact of globalization and modern media on the Lithuanian language.
What topics are covered in each chapter?
The Introduction sets the context, highlighting Lithuanian's status and limited presence in foreign universities. The chapter on the Development of the Standard Lithuanian Language delves into its complex history, the selection of the West-Highland dialect, the role of Jonas Jablonskis, the impact of political changes, and the ongoing gap between the idealized standard and actual spoken Lithuanian. The chapter on Linguistic Nationalism examines the language's role in the Lithuanian nationalist movement, the linguistic pressures from neighboring languages, and the influence of German scholarship on Lithuanian nationalism.
What is the significance of Jonas Jablonskis in the development of Standard Lithuanian?
Jonas Jablonskis played a crucial role in the standardization of the Lithuanian language, particularly with his 1901 grammar. His work, influenced by comparative linguistics, helped solidify the West-Highland dialect as the basis for Standard Lithuanian.
What role did political forces play in the development of the Lithuanian language?
Political forces, including Russian and Polish empires and the Soviet Union, significantly influenced the development of the Lithuanian language. These influences often clashed with efforts towards linguistic homogeneity, creating tension between official language policies and everyday usage.
How did linguistic nationalism contribute to the survival of the Lithuanian language?
Linguistic nationalism played a vital role in the survival and revival of the Lithuanian language, particularly in countering the linguistic pressure from Polish, Russian, and German. It involved strategic efforts to elevate Lithuanian's status and link it to national identity.
What is the tension between linguistic purity and evolving language use?
The text highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining the purity of the idealized Standard Lithuanian and accommodating the evolving nature of spoken Lithuanian, reflecting the complex interplay between linguistic norms and societal attitudes.
What is the impact of globalization and modern media on the Lithuanian language?
The text touches upon the impact of globalization and modern media on the Lithuanian language, although a detailed exploration of this aspect is not provided within the summarized preview.
What are some key terms associated with this study of the Lithuanian language?
Key terms include Standard Lithuanian, linguistic nationalism, language standardization, Indo-European languages, Baltic languages, Russification, Soviet influence, globalization, language policy, linguistic homogeneity, dialect, sociolinguistics, language ideology, and national identity.
- Quote paper
- Stefanie Aha (Author), 2021, The Lithuanian Language. Development, Characteristics and Linguistic Nationalism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1038476
