Kura kaja liivi keeles [Curonian linguistic elements in Livonian]

Abstract

Researchers of Finnic languages have stressed the special position of Livonian among closely related languages due to the large number of Latvian loan elements. The Latvian infl uence is noteworthy and present in all levels of the language. The Baltic infl uence on Livonian is, however, linguistically and chronologically more diverse. Livonians, especially Curonian Livonians have been in contact with Curonians – their close neighbours – for a long period of time. As a result, Livonian has preserved a number of linguistic elements from Old Curonian – a language that belonged to the Baltic language group. The nature of Curonian and its position among other Baltic languages has been – and still is – a matter of dispute. In the article, the possible Curonian elements in various levels of Livonian are presented and analysed.

Keywords

substratum, adstratum, language contacts, Finnic languages, Livonian language, Baltic languages, Curonian language