The socio-linguistic situation and state of research of the Ossetic (original) (raw)

Abstract

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The paper explores the socio-linguistic evolution of the Ossetic language, detailing its historical subdivisions into three distinct periods: the ancient Scythian-Sarmatian dialects, the medieval Alanic language, and the contemporary Ossetic language. It highlights the interactions with European languages and various substratum influences, particularly from Turkic and Caucasian languages, that have shaped the phonetic and morphological characteristics of Ossetic. The analysis also emphasizes the cultural implications of these linguistic developments, including shared legends and traditions within the Caucasian region.

Key takeaways

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  1. Ossetic language descends from ancient East Iranian dialects, spoken by approximately 598,000 people today.
  2. The language has evolved through three distinct historical periods: Scythian, Alanic, and modern Ossetic.
  3. Ossetic contains significant lexical borrowings from Caucasian languages and Turkic languages due to historical contact.
  4. The written tradition of Ossetic has shifted between Greek, Cyrillic, and Latin scripts over centuries.
  5. Modern scholarship focuses on the standardization and preservation of Ossetic language and its dialects.

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References (17)

  1. North Ossetia Republic: 334 876
  2. Adig Republic: 279
  3. Bashkir Republic: 256 Burat Republic: 186
  4. Daghestan Republic: 1195
  5. Kabardino-Balkar Republic: 9996
  6. Kalmik Republic: 348
  7. Saha (Yakut) Republic: 1387
  8. Tatarstan Republic: 503 Chechen and Inghush Republic: 1821
  9. Krasnodarskiy Kray: 2809 Magadan: 1641
  10. Rostov District: 2241
  11. Stavropol Kray: 9242
  12. Karachay-Cherkes Republic: 3806 Moscow: 7270 Other states: CIS and Baltia: 195 723 Azerbaydjan: 1 720 Georgia: 164 055 Tajikistan: 7861 Kazakhstan: 4308 Turkmenistan: 2368 Uzbekistan: 5823 Ukrain: 6345 Total number of speakers Russian Federation: 383 759 Monolingual speakers 36609 Mother tongue speakers of the Ossetic language Russian Federation: 375724 Georgia: 125 872 Locality Russian Federation: North Ossetia Republic (Alaniya), Stavropol Kray, Kabardino-Balkar Republic Republic of Georgia: South Ossetian Republic Dialect division: Iron dialect speaks 4/5 of the Ossetic speaking population (including South Ossetian Republic 164 055)
  13. Digor(on) dialect speaks 1/5 of the Ossetic speaking population Uallagkom vernacular (transitive) Graphics: 941 Greek alphabet 17 th -18 th century: Cyrillic and Georgian base. 1844 Acad. Shegren's Cyrillic alphabet Russia: 1923-1938 Latin alphabet 1923-38 Latin alphabet 1938-now Cyrillic alphabet 1954 -now Cyrillic alphabet Georgia: 1938 -1954 Georgian alphabet 1954 -now Cyrillic alphabet Juridical status: state language Russian Federation and Republic of Georgia. Documents: Constitution of the North Ossetia Republic-Alania, Vladicaucas, 1994 (Ossetic, Russian) Constitution of the South Ossetian Republic, 1996 (Ossetic, Russian, Georgian)
  14. Religious Practice: In North and South Ossetia Republics there are Orthodox churches. There are books: Bible, New Testament. The Ossetic language is used during the sermon. 25% of Ossetia settlers are muslims. In Chikola and Leskeni villages there are mosques. The sermon is held in Arabic language. Written texts: 19 th century: "Nart legends", "Collection "Memorium of Folklore". 1798 Catechism: "Primary teaching of a man, who wants to study books of God's writings" Newspapers: Mainly in Russin and Iron languages North Ossetia Republic: "North Ossetia", "Demos", "Light", "Zarya", "Mozdok news", "Life of the right bank". Newspapers: "Rastdzinad" (Truth) 1970-2003, Vladicaucas, 18000, Ossetic language "Soveton Iryston" (The Soviet Ossetia) 1970-1990, Ttshinval, 6000, Ossetic language "Nyhas", 1970-2003, Vladicaucas, Russian, Ossetic language "Digora", 1970-2003, Vladicaucas, 1300, Ossetic (Digor(on)) languages "Digoron Khabarta" (Digor news), 1970-2003, Digora, Digor region, 3000, Russian, Ossetic (Digor(on)) languages
  15. "Iraf" (name of the river) 1970-2003, Chikola, Iraf region, 3500, Russian, Ossetic languages "Razma" (Ahead) 1970-2003, Vladicaucas, 3100, Russian, Ossetic language "Fidiuag" (Town crier), 1970-2003, Vladicaucas, 3500, Russian, Ossetic languages magazine: "Nogdzau" (Pioneer), 1970-2002,Vladicaucas, 18000, Ossetic (Iron and Digor(on)) languages
  16. Ossetic Language as a subject Republic North Ossetia School 1940-1980 facultative subject (1-2 hours a week). 1980-now subject (2-3 hours a week). Number of Primary schools (1-4) and number of pupils: 173 City: 85 (22037) Village: 88 (5928) Number of Secondary schools (5-9) and number of pupils: 173 City: 85 (22276) Village: 88 (11922) Number of Secondary school (10-11) and number of pupils: 173 City: 85 (3686) Village: 88 (2978) North and South Ossetia Republics: 1996 Pedagogical College (Department of Ossetic Language) 2 1996 University (Department of Ossetic Philology) 2
  17. Ossetic Language as a medium language (for humanities: language, literature, history, and geography). With manuals and textbooks

FAQs

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What explains the unique characteristics of the Ossetic language?add

The Ossetic language exhibits unique characteristics due to its historical mix of Scythian and Sarmatian languages influenced by Caucasian and Turkic substratum from the first millennium B.C.

How did Ossetic evolve during the Alanic period?add

During the Alanic period, which lasted from the Ist century to the XIIIth century, the language enriched its lexicon through extensive contact with Caucasian dialects, resulting in new phonetic and morphological features.

What role did Vasiliy Abaev's dictionary play in Ossetic studies?add

Vasiliy Abaev's 'Historical and Etymological Dictionary of Ossetic Language', published between 1958-1995, is pivotal in etymological research, analyzing vocabulary through historical contexts and comparative linguistics.

When was the first Ossetic alphabet created and who was responsible?add

However, the alphabet underwent multiple transformations, including a switch to Latin from 1923-1938, before reverting to Cyrillic.

How have the dialects of Ossetic developed over time?add

The Iron and Digor dialects have evolved distinctly over approximately 2,000 years, reflecting variations in phonetics, morphology, and vocabulary, complicating mutual intelligibility.