Acceso usuarios
Gabriela Múcsková
This paper presents a historical overview of the classification of Slovak dialects. In individual chapters it describes classification by Alois Vojtěch Šembera (1864), Václav Vážný (1934), Jozef Štolc and coworkers (1968a, 1968b), and Rudolf Krajčovič (1988). All classifications are to some extent similar in defining dialect divisions, in the methods of traditional dialectology, and the features-based and isoglottic framework. The differences are in the theoretical argumentation of the classification.
Sometimes they are based on a comparative approach considering relations with other Slavic languages, the standard variety or some prestigious dialect. In other cases, the main criterion is an etymological (or genetic) aspect. A common element in all classifications is the reflection of the historical division of the territory into administrative districts – counties within the Old Hungary, which undoubtedly contributed to the dialect diversity of Slovak. Their boundaries largely coincide with defined dialect boundaries. The situation in Slovakia is a typical example of a dialect continuum, so any areal classification is to a large extent a generalizing construct.
