Sociolinguistic analysis of 'Serbo-Croatian'

Abstract

The common objective analysis is that there is one language, 'Serbo-Croatian', of which there are three main dialects: Stokavian, Kajkavian, and Cakavian (the names are based on the word for 'what' in each dialect). There are, of course, differences in the dialects of Serbs and Croats - mainly in the phonology and lexicon. However, this is hardly clear cut. For one thing, the two variants are completely mutually intelligible, the variation being systematic, and, as with any language, there is a continuum of variation that does not adhere to the political boundaries in the area. Since, obviously, language and politics are so tightly entwined with each other in this area, it is necessary to look at the political history of the area in order to see how various influences have directed the development of the variants in Serbo-Croatian.