Alexandra Chomová

Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Mateja Bela, Banská Bystrica

[email protected]

 

Abstract

Structuralism and Its Influence on Selected Areas of Slovak Linguistics

Contemporary Slovak linguistics has built upon the research tradition arising from the field’s earlier stages of development. Modern linguistic trends active since the 1920s have also influenced Slovak linguistics significantly. Based on the examination of scholarly articles from that period, this paper aims to assemble a selection of information related to the establishment of a new linguistic trend – structuralism – in Slovak linguistics in the context of Czechoslovakia. The cultivation of theoretical discussions in the post-war period – connected with the organization of linguistic research in Slovakia – is observed on the basis of contemporary Slovak and Czech linguistic texts on selected linguistic topics written from the 1930s to the 1970s. Apart from that, publications evaluating the presence of structuralism in Slovak linguistics are also examined (e.g. Anton Popovič, Ľubomír Ďurovič, Ján Kačala, Rudolf Krajčovič and František Štraus). The paper focuses on the beginnings of structuralism in Slovak linguistics, devoting attention to the Bratislava Linguistic Circle (1945) and its activities. Views of neogrammarianism and structuralism are observed, for in Slovak linguistics such views influenced the way the Czechoslovak question was perceived, while also informing research into phonology, dialectology, morphology and syntax, as well as lexis and language culture. The paper also traces the impact of particular views on educational practice.

Key words: structuralism, slovak linguistics, Bratislava Linguistic Circle, neogrammarian

https://doi.org/10.24040/nfr.2024.16.1.49-71