Kazimiero Prialgauskio Spasabų (1845) ir Naujo altoriaus (1847) žemaičių kalba
The Low Lithuanian Language in Kazimieras Prialgauskis’ Spasabai (1845) and Naujas altorius (1847)

Summary/Abstract: At the beginning of the nineteenth century writings based on Low Lithuanian dialects had become predominant in Lithuania. The Catholic priest Kazimieras Prialgauskis’ (~1801-1856) religious books Spasabai vedimo gero ir krikščioniško gyvenimo (1845) and Naujas altorius (1847) are examples of certain efforts to codify the Low Lithuanian standard. Spasabai is almost entirely based on the North Low Lithuanian dialect (Dounininkai). This book stands out among other similar editions of the period for its quite consistently codified Low Lithuanian forms. On the other hand there are more traditional High Lithuanian dialect features in the next book by Prialgauskis (Naujas altorius). It might be evidence of Prialgauskis’ attempt to develop certain High Lithuanian features in his version of the written language. All this means that the native dialect of Prialgauskis was North Low Lithuanian instead of South Low Lithuanian as certain scholars have so far maintained.

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