Special Сlitics at the Absolute Beginning of a Non-Interrogative Sentence in Slovenian Dialects

Abstract

The work analyzes and maps an innovative phenomenon of modern Slovenian dialectal syntax – the placement of special clitics at the absolute beginning of non-interrogative sentences. 2505 pages of dialect speech records from 288 settlements were analyzed. The characteristics of special clitics and their acceptable positions in non-interrogative sentences in the modern Slovenian language are listed. The history of studying the issue by Slovenian researchers is examined. Using statistical and linguogeographic (areal) methods, the frequency and maximum number of clitics at the absolute beginning of non-interrogative sentences are determined. Based on the collected data, it is concluded that in all Slovenian dialects, as in the modern Slovenian standard language, the position after the first constituent is still the main location of special clitics in a non-interrogative sentence, and the frequency of their initial position is 24%, varying noticeably among dialects. At the absolute beginning of non-interrogative sentences, clitics are found throughout the Slovenian language space, forming a continuous dispersed area in which zones of relatively high frequency are distinguished. Both verbal and pronominal clitics can be located in this position, with most Slovene dialects allowing up to four clitics in a cluster. However, in the Lower Carniolan dialects, no more than two special clitics are noted in initial position.

Received: 13.01.2025.
Revised: 08.02.2025.
Accepted: 18.03.2025.

Citation
Gromova M. M. Special Сlitics at the Absolute Beginning of a Non-Interrogative Sentence in Slovenian Dialects // Slavic Almanac. 2025. No 1–2. P. 248–261 (in Russian). DOI: 10.31168/2073-5731.2025.1-2.10