Dominant exponents of dynamic spatial relations in the Macedonian language (in a Balkan context) Cover Image

Надградени показатели на динамичните просторни релации во македонскиот јазик (во балкански контекст)
Dominant exponents of dynamic spatial relations in the Macedonian language (in a Balkan context)

Author(s): Marijana Marković
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Theoretical Linguistics
Published by: Instytut Slawistyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Macedonian language; prepositions; spatial relations

Summary/Abstract: In the Macedonian language, 'doubling' of prepositions is well documented in grammars and monographs, but now we can witness increased use of prepositional sequences both in the modern Macedonian standard and in dialects. The need for more precise spatial determination became necessary, and this is precisely where the role of the (secondary) complex prepositions are used: nasred, nakaj, dokaj, otkaj, etc. However, Macedonian has so-called double prepositions (prepositional sequences), whose main function is more precise spatial determination (od pred, od zad, od pod, do pred, za pred, za vo, za na, etc.). The first preposition in those sequences becomes the dominant exponent of dynamic spatial relation (ablative or adlative) while the second preposition becomes part of the prepositional phrase – the localizer. The high frequency of prepositional sequences is common not only in modern Macedonian but also exists in western peripheral dialects which have had closer contacts within the Balkan linguistic environment. It can be concluded that the balkanised structure of Macedonian language allows certain Balkan tendencies to expand and evolve in some new directions and still retain the primary goal – more transparent and clearer communication among the speakers of the language.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 15
  • Page Range: 67-74
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Macedonian