International Journal of the Sociology of Language · 1996 · 51 citations · 0 references
Language StudiesLinguisticsDialectologyLanguage DocumentationSociolinguisticsCzech LanguageLanguage ChangeLanguage StandardizationSlovak LanguageGrammar StandardizationLanguage PurismSlavic Language StandardizationSociolinguistic StandardizationStandardizationUnification
Standardization of Romani is inevitable and has evolved across early modern, modern, and postmodern societies, demanding new models beyond traditional ones. The study examines Romani standardization in former Czechoslovakia and advocates a polycentric, inclusive standard that balances purism and mixing while fostering semi‑communication competence. The authors analyze written Romani texts to assess linguistic variation. Analysis of written texts shows that Romani variation exists and is evaluated by speakers, while language elaboration continues and the unification component of standardization recedes in the postmodern context.
Standardization of Romani is an inevitable process that is likely to be initiated independently in various societies where the language is spoken. This paper examines the Situation in the case of former Czechoslovakia. On the basis ofthe analysis ofwritten texts it confirms that Variation exists and is evaluated by Romani Speakers. Elaboration of the language is taking place. The paper argues that standardization dijfers in early modern, modern, and postmodern societies and that the old models of standardization should not be used for Romani. In the postmodern context the unification component of standardization recedes into the background. The Standard should be polycentric and competence in semicommunication should be developed. There is an urgent need for further elaboration of the norm, which may involve bot h purism and mixing. The symbolic function of the Standard should not affect its use in interaction, and the Standard should be developed to become the property of all rather than only ofthe Romani middle class.