Estonian Lotfitka Romai and its contact languages Cover Image

Estonian Lotfitka Romani and its contact languages
Estonian Lotfitka Romai and its contact languages

Author(s): Anette Ross
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Comparative Linguistics, Finno-Ugrian studies
Published by: Tallinna Ülikooli Kirjastus
Keywords: Romani linguistics; language contact; language change; Estonian Romani; Latvian Romani;

Summary/Abstract: The Estonian Lotfitka dialect is a Romani dialect whose speakers have migrated from Latvia to Estonia. This article provides an overview of the recent and current contact languages of the Estonian Lotfitka dialect – Latvian, Russian and Estonian – and draws attention to some of the contact-induced language changes. To provide a comprehensive insight into the intensity and scope of borrowing I have applied Thomason and Kaufman’s borrowing scale to categorize the contact languages. The relevant features behind the contact-induced changes that appear in Estonian Lotfitka dialect are listed.

  • Issue Year: 1/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 154-172
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: English