Final Report Summary - DIALFIN (Dialectal variation and the definition of finiteness: finite and non-finite dependent clauses in two dialect clusters)
This project aimed at contributing to the study of linguistic variation, and in particular to our knowledge of a fundamental property of language that undergoes drastic variation: finiteness. This property divides verb forms into inflected and non-inflected ones (or finite and non-finite forms). Thus, in the Italian sentence voglio partire'I want to leave'the non-finite form partire'to leave'is required. In striking contrast many languages, such as Romanian, use finite verbal forms in this case: Vreau sa plec literally'I want that I leave'.
The main objective of this project was that of documenting and studying variation in the use of finite and non-finite forms in a set of Italian dialects: Salentino (spoken in Southern Apulia) and Southern Calabrian. These dialects are unique in Europe in that they show variation between an Italian-type system of complementation, with an infinitival verb, and a Romanian-type, with a morphologically finite verb. They are therefore an ideal empirical foundation for any theory of finiteness which aims at universal validity. These dialects are also in danger of extinction, so this project also contributed to European efforts to document and preserve lesser used minority languages.
The project has conducted a vast work of data collection and analysis. Fluent native speakers were selected for age and place of birth, and recorded for at least one hour, with the resulting recordings covering the whole dialectal area under investigation. The recordings document both the informants talking freely as well as answering our questions in an interview. The interviews with native speakers were based on (but not limited to) a written questionnaire, so that the elicited data are compatible across dialects and can be used also by scholars working on other languages. The wealth of phenomena found in these data was then carefully analysed and glossed.
The results were both theoretical and empirical. Empirically, we have now a clear picture of a crucial part of the grammar of lesser known non-standard varieties, which are documented in records and transcriptions for everybody to consult. Theoretically, our results have shown that the type of variation found between dialects can be used to answer important questions in the study of language. In particular, dialects can bridge the gap between typological studies, where very different languages from many linguistic families are compared, and the in-depth analyses of standard languages like Italian. The rich variation found in these dialects made it possible to find what really lies at the core of the notion of finiteness, and thus to propose a more general definition of this fundamental linguistic property, one that is not tied to specific morphological or syntactic categories.
This project has also had significant social consequences: an extensive network has been formed which connects scholars from both Europe and North-america with local scholars in and outside academia. These informal contacts were reinforced through the organisation of an international conference on the syntax of Italian dialects, which brought together dialectologists as well as theoretical linguists. Close contacts have also been established with the many associations that are interested in traditional culture, including the local dialects. All these groups were very interested in collaborating with our project, and many expressed the need for expert advise on the linguistic issues they face, such as the best orthography to use when writing their dialect, or how to teach children at school about their local language and culture. This advising role also has practical consequences, as local authorities look for independent reviews in the choice of funding for projects about local languages and cultures. This project therefore contributed significantly to the ongoing effort to bring the benefits of academic research to local communities.
The main objective of this project was that of documenting and studying variation in the use of finite and non-finite forms in a set of Italian dialects: Salentino (spoken in Southern Apulia) and Southern Calabrian. These dialects are unique in Europe in that they show variation between an Italian-type system of complementation, with an infinitival verb, and a Romanian-type, with a morphologically finite verb. They are therefore an ideal empirical foundation for any theory of finiteness which aims at universal validity. These dialects are also in danger of extinction, so this project also contributed to European efforts to document and preserve lesser used minority languages.
The project has conducted a vast work of data collection and analysis. Fluent native speakers were selected for age and place of birth, and recorded for at least one hour, with the resulting recordings covering the whole dialectal area under investigation. The recordings document both the informants talking freely as well as answering our questions in an interview. The interviews with native speakers were based on (but not limited to) a written questionnaire, so that the elicited data are compatible across dialects and can be used also by scholars working on other languages. The wealth of phenomena found in these data was then carefully analysed and glossed.
The results were both theoretical and empirical. Empirically, we have now a clear picture of a crucial part of the grammar of lesser known non-standard varieties, which are documented in records and transcriptions for everybody to consult. Theoretically, our results have shown that the type of variation found between dialects can be used to answer important questions in the study of language. In particular, dialects can bridge the gap between typological studies, where very different languages from many linguistic families are compared, and the in-depth analyses of standard languages like Italian. The rich variation found in these dialects made it possible to find what really lies at the core of the notion of finiteness, and thus to propose a more general definition of this fundamental linguistic property, one that is not tied to specific morphological or syntactic categories.
This project has also had significant social consequences: an extensive network has been formed which connects scholars from both Europe and North-america with local scholars in and outside academia. These informal contacts were reinforced through the organisation of an international conference on the syntax of Italian dialects, which brought together dialectologists as well as theoretical linguists. Close contacts have also been established with the many associations that are interested in traditional culture, including the local dialects. All these groups were very interested in collaborating with our project, and many expressed the need for expert advise on the linguistic issues they face, such as the best orthography to use when writing their dialect, or how to teach children at school about their local language and culture. This advising role also has practical consequences, as local authorities look for independent reviews in the choice of funding for projects about local languages and cultures. This project therefore contributed significantly to the ongoing effort to bring the benefits of academic research to local communities.