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Article published In: Language Problems and Language Planning
Vol. 48:1 (2024) ► pp.1–25

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The role of identification criteria in language

The Croatian case

ORCiD logo with link | University of Ljubljana
Published online: 29 March 2024
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lplp.23028.iva
Abstract
The article presents the criteria employed in distinguishing languages and, within the framework of structuralist and sociolinguistic perspectives, delves into the role of identification criteria in the context of the Croatian language. Through a critical analysis of the interpretation of various criteria in Croatian linguistics, the article uncovers the issue of arbitrariness in language differentiation. The author asserts that, as a product of society, language cannot exist without its specific cultural context and, therefore, concurs with the thesis that language is inevitably influenced by politics. Within the scope of the Croatian language, the article examines several differentiation criteria, including structural, genetic, standardization, mutual intelligibility, and, notably, the identification criterion. The latter appears to be the least ambiguous, aligning with the principle that a language belongs to the entire community of its speakers. However, practical application raises certain challenges.
Sažetak
Uloga identifikacijskog kriterija u jeziku: Hrvatski slučaj
Članak predstavlja mjerila koja se koriste pri razlikovanju jezika i, unutar okvira strukturalističke i sociolingvističke perspektive, istražuje ulogu identifikacijskog kriterija u kontekstu hrvatskog jezika. Kroz kritičku analizu interpretacije različitih kriterija u hrvatskoj lingvistici, članak otkriva problem proizvoljnosti pri razlikovanju jezika. Autor tvrdi da jezik, kao proizvod društva, ne može postojati bez svog specifičnog kulturnog konteksta te je stoga suglasan s tezom da je jezik uvijek neizbježno pod utjecajem politike. U okviru hrvatskoga jezika članak proučava nekoliko kriterija diferencijacije, uključujući strukturalni, genetski, standardizacijski kriterij, kriterij međusobne razumljivosti i, posebno, identifikacijski kriterij. Potonji se čini najmanje dvosmislenim te skladan s načelom da je jezik vlasništvo čitave zajednice govornika. Međutim, praktična primjena implicira određene probleme.
Resumo
La artikolo prezentas la kriteriojn uzatajn por distingi lingvojn kaj, en la kadro de strukturistaj kaj socilingvistikaj perspektivoj, esploras la rolon de identigaj kriterioj kuntekste de la kroata lingvo. Per kritika analizo de interpretado de diversaj kriterioj en kroata lingvistiko, la artikolo esploras la demandon de arbitreco en lingva diferencigo. La aŭtoro asertas, ke, pro tio, ke ĝi estas socia produkto, lingvo ne povas ekzisti ekster sia specifa kultura kunteksto; kaj, sekve, la aŭtoro konsentas kun la tezo, ke lingvo estas neeviteble influata de politiko. Ene de la limoj de la kroata lingvo, la artikolo ekzamenas plurajn diferencigajn kriteriojn, inkluzive tiujn pri strukturo, genetiko, normigo, reciproka kompreneblo, kaj, notinde, identigo. Ĉi-lasta ŝajnas esti la plej neambigua ĉar ĝi kongruas kun la principo, ke lingvo apartenas al la tuta komunumo de siaj parolantoj. Tamen praktika aplikado estas iom defia.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Inconsistencies in Croatian applications of structuralism
  • Croatian perspectives on the relationship between language and dialect
  • Exploring ambiguities in language distinction criteria
  • The position of identification criteria
  • Legitimacy and implementation challenges of language rights
  • Conclusion
  • References
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