Motivacije jezičnih promjena
Motivations of language change

Vitality of popular etymology and other variations in non-standard speech

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the phenomenon of popular etymology in relation to other factors that lead to language change. From a certain number of examples taken from different localities on Adriatic coast the majority are romance loanwords. Due to the fact that standard languages generally avoid regionalisms, we are looking into the differences in variation of language standard as opposed to dialectal vernaculars and what separates popular etymology from other variations in language. Finding motivation and factors that can lead to language change, we are trying to explain the very fine line that theoretically separates popular etymology from other related phenomenon like word crossing or hybrid derivatives. In order to clarify some vaguely defined concepts in relation to language change at different language levels, we have linked all concepts associated to the theory of languages in contact, as well as sociolinguistic and variational linguistics (using concepts of theory of language change) with the traditional and formal terms of diachronic linguistics. The variational sociolinguistics is usually present in the framework of urban speech or explaining sociolinguistic stratification and in the Croatian language often deals with the attitudes of speakers. Traditional etymological dictionaries cite a large number of variations, mostly in rural areas, and are directed to their formal and semantic features. While in language contact and language change theory we encounter mainly classified areas, as phonetics, morphology and semantics. In this work we connect methods and concepts linked to all three fields, since popular etymology should be a product of leaning on the word form, as well as on the meaning and on the other side it is present in already cristalized lexems as much as in neologisms and loanwords. Its formation is as important as any innovation in the field of linguistic change. Therefore, initially we explain the concept of popular etymology and other known language changes and variations, at all structural levels. Then we try to find a place of popular etymology in the dynamics of language change. Since the classification of popular etymology from our corpus is not entirely clear, coming often in touch and crossing with other language changes, through some factors and causes we have tried to explain its specific motivation (which can vary on the scale from involuntary errors on one side to voluntary language innovations).

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