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Summary The dictionary "Gonan po nase" (my language) is a collection of more than 5,000 words collected from the picturesque Labin cakavican dialect derived from the inhabitants of Istria who reside between the two beautiful inlets of Plomin and Rasa. The inhabitants of Labin differ from the rest of Istria as they speak in in cakavica, like the people of Lindar, our islands Brac, Trogir, and the inhabitants of Komize on the island of Vis, thus making Labin unique among the peoples of Istria. When speaking, they have a pronounced stress on the half vowels of o and i, as well as using many archaic words from the Croatian language which reveals that the people of Labin were numbered among the first slav inhabitants of Istria. In the cakavica dialect of Labin, as well as in the entire cakavica dialect, many words are taken from the Roman languages which is testimony to the mixture of two different cultures in this area facing the Adriatic Sea. In this dictionary, the root of all the words, when it was known to the author, have been reported, and the original Italian or Venetian word is quoted in brackets. The components of the word come together to form a whole by following the rules of the cakavica language as does, for example, the English language follow its roots in the Roman language. There are many words which are still in use today due in great part to the Labin coal mines that were run by the Austrians, and in particular among coal miners who derived the roots of their words from the German language. An Italian would not have much difficulty guessing the meaning of the Labin word "tornat" which originates from the Italian word tornare (to return), so a skilled arbiter will know that the root of the word "obahajar" which was often heard among Labin coal miners comes from the German word Oberhaurer (foreman). This coupling of Labin cakavica with the Italian and German language is very common and for linguists it can be an interesting theme for scientific research and subject of investigation. Perhaps due to the distinctions of Labin cakavica and its isolation from the other variants of cakavica in Istria, or because of an absence of intellectuals in Labin, the first traces of the written word in the Labin dialect were only first recorded in the early sixties of this century. Even today there are only a handful of writers in Labin who write in their own dialect, and among them first the most authentic and poetical are Zdenka Viskovic-Vukic and Daniel Nacinovic. Some of their poems have been published in the prologue of this dictionary, together with some other poems written in cakavica by poets from Labin and some emigre' authors from America and Sweden. Published in the Prologue of this Dictionary "Gonan po nase" are approximately 120 anecdotes which are retold among the people of Labin. They were first published back in 1977 in the local paper "labinska Komuna". Part of the book also contains a collection of records on their lifestyle and traditions. What prompted the author to embark on this "Gonan po nase" dictionary? There are many reasons. One is to save many words from extinction which are disappearing together with the ancient trades, traditions, stratums of village life, and now with the exposure to the literary Croatian word. The dictionary will stimulate the desire to keep and affirm cakavica not only in everyday conversation, but as a strong and authentic medium in creativity. Together with an improved knowledge about the value of the language which has often been underrated, forbidden or a subject of derision and ridicule, it will encourage the self-confidence of its use among the people of Labin. This book will make worthy reading material and the many Labiniani scattered across the globe will have an opportunity to come into closer contact with their homeland and their original roots. It will forge a strong link with their own linguistic inheritance, and their chidren will be closer to the spirit of their grandfathers with whom many have never had an authentic or natural link. Although this dictionary is about the Labin cakavica which is spoken in a very narrow geographical area, it will be very similar to all cakavice spoken in Croatia. In it will be found similarities and differences between other dialects and that of Labin, and above all the thread that links them together. The dictionary "Gonan po nase" is intended above all for the ordinary man who most commonly uses the Labin cakavica. It will also be of interest in professional and scientific circles. It will provide material value for our linguists, as well as Italian and German linguists who will find in the heritage of the Labin cakavica fascinating elements relating to the influence of their own language and culture on the spirit of a nation that for centuries has lived and worked with them or as close neighbours. Marijan Milevoj Source:
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This page compliments of Marisa Ciceran and Mario Demetlica
Created: Friday,
July 16, 1999, Last Updated: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 |
