Rrafshimi i kundërvënies /r/ - /R/ në shqipen standarde në Kosovë
Leveling the opposition r-R in the standard Albanian in Kosovo

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to describe the opposition r-R in standard Albanian in Kosovo. This opposition has suffered in its quality in these last two decades. In the new linguistic reality, it’s already possible to speak of a nearly complete equalization of this opposition and, on the other hand, of the “birth” of a new phonetic variant, among the vibrant consonants of the Albanian language. This element, which for now can be considered as “insistent” to ensure its status within the phonetic-phonological system of the Albanian language, represents a vibrant with an average number of vibrations, which means a lightly more lateral articulation than standard normative vibrants and a smaller number of vibrations, respectively less touches of the tip of the tongue to alveols than for standard Albanian R and a bigger number of vibrations, respectively more touches than for standard Alb. r. Our research largely confirms the thesis that the r - R opposition leveling process in the standard Albanian variety is considered partially completed or completely completed in several cities in Kosovo. Numerous variations in the use of these two vibrant consonants also occur in written discourse. Obviously in smaller proportions. In the spoken form, today I think that neither r nor R do represent the normative Albanian vibrants. They can be identified as approximating variants with the tendency of matching and creating a new consonant variant that requires positioning in the system. This situation prompts me to think of a new language development in spoken Albanian in Kosovo. This development requires deeper analysis to see if only linguistic factors have influenced its extent or other factors related to the urban identity of Albanian speakers. Conclusions of this paper are based on field research.

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