Kam zmizelo „ch“ na Balkáně?
Where did "ch" disappear to in the Balkans?

Summary/Abstract: Across the Balkan linguistic area, a remarkable phonological tendency has affected several languages: the gradual weakening, replacement, or disappearance of the consonants /x/ and /h/. This study explores the distribution of this phenomenon in Balkan languages, including Greek, Albanian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Turkish, placing it within the broader context of areal linguistic convergence. The author distinguishes between regions where the consonants remain fully preserved, areas where they have disappeared entirely, and zones where they have been replaced by other sounds such as /f/, /v/, or /j/. Historical and phonological explanations are considered, including the drive toward greater articulatory economy and the structural balance of phonological systems. The analysis demonstrates that the loss of /x/ and /h/ has not occurred uniformly, but rather follows complex geographical and dialectal patterns that extend across much of Southeastern Europe. Numerous dialect examples illustrate how similar sound changes emerged independently or spread through language contact between neighboring communities. The study also highlights differences between spoken dialects and standardized languages, many of which continue to preserve these consonants despite their reduction in everyday speech. Finally, the article shows that education and mass media have contributed to the reintroduction of /x/ and /h/ into regions where they had previously been weakened or lost. The phenomenon thus provides valuable insight into both historical language change and the dynamics of the Balkan linguistic union.

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