Elementy słowiańskie w leksyce kreteńskiej
The Slavic elements in the Cretan vocabulary

Summary/Abstract: In this paper the problem of a possible Slavic influence into the Modern Greek dialects of Crete is carefully reviewed. Some researchers (e.g. Tomadhakis, 1938, 1939; Vasmer, 1941) distinguished a number of the Cretan toponyms of Slavic origin. However, the Modern Greek onomasts and linguists seem to deny the Slavic derivation of the toponyms in question. Also the Cretan lexics of Slavic origin is frequently ignored. According to N. Kondosopoulos (1997, p. 356), the Hellenic language in Crete remained homogenous, absorbing no Slavic, Aroumanian and Albanian lexical elements in contradistinction to some dialects of the northern Greece. This opinion seems extremely subjective, as the best dictionaries of the Cretan dialects (e.g. Kondhilakis, 1990; Pangalos, 1955–1975; Peristerakis, 1991; Pitikakis, 1969; Tsirighotakis, 2001; Ksanthinakis, 2001; Rodhakis, 2005; Idhomeneos, 2006) and the valuable lexical and etymological monographs (e.g. Andhriotis, 1990; Budziszewska, 1991; Floros, 1980) distinguished at least thirty Cretan words, whose Slavic origin is indubitable. It is obvious that the Slavic elements in the Cretan vocabulary cannot be numerous, but they must be treated as a valuable indication of the Slavic residence of the island.

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