The documentation and historical reconstruction of Romeyka.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S)

COLLABORATORS

DURATION

2009 - present

DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT(S)

This project aims to document and preserve an endangered Greek variety, Romeyka, spoken in enclaves in Trabzon, in northeast Turkey, and diaspora. Romeyka does not have a written form and is rarely represented in public, discreetly preserved to this day in an area known for its staunch (Turkish) nationalism. However, the discreet preservation of Romeyka is no longer viable due to waning intergenerational transmission.

VISIT THE PROJECT WEBSITE HERE

CONNECTED PROJECT(S)

PRINCIPAL RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS

Sitaridou, I. (2014). ‘Modality, antiveridicality, and complementation: The Romeyka infinitive as a negative polarity item.’ Lingua 148, pp. 118-46. DOI
Sitaridou, I. (2014). ‘The Romeyka Infinitive: Continuity, Contact and Change in the Hellenic varieties of Pontus.’ Diachronica 31.1, pp. 23-73. DOI
Sitaridou, I. (2013). ‘Greek-speaking enclaves in Pontus today: The documentation and revitalization of Romeyka.’ In M. Jones & S. Ogilvie (Eds.), Keeping Languages Alive. Language Endangerment: Documentation, Pedagogy and Revitalization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 98-112 ISBN: 9781108790406

WHY/HOW DOES YOUR PROJECT ADVANCE OUR KNOWLEDGE ON BILINGUALISM/MULTILINGUALISM/CONTACT?

Observing how sociolinguistic conditions are mapped onto acquisition scenarios.

WHAT IS THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF YOUR PROJECT?

Preserving an endangered language and heritage preserving collective memory increasing intra-/inter-communal belonging and self-esteem achieving international awareness and recognition.

LOCATION AND/OR IMPACT OF YOUR PROJECT

Turkey, Germany, France, Greece, USA, Australia, Sweden, Belgium

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