ON THE VOCALISM OF THE NORTH PODLASIE DIALECT OF KANIUKY VILLAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE POLISH – EASTERN SLAVIC BORDERLAND

Abstract

Introduction. The study is devoted to the analysis of the main features of the vocalic system of the Ukrainian dialect of the village of Kaniuky in Northern Podlasie, Poland. A specific feature of the
dialect’s location is that the Belarusian dialectal area begins to the north of it, while Polish dialects are found further to the west, which may potentially influence the structure of Kaniuky phonetic system.
The purpose of the study is to analyze the reflexes of the Proto-Slavic vowels *ě, *e, *o, and *ę in the
Kaniuky dialect; to typologize the vocalic features of the Kaniuky dialect that shape its distinctive phonetic profile as a borderland variety; to determine the dynamics of the sound inventory on the basis of earlier linguistic studies; and to interpret the dialectal features from an areal perspective, with particular attention to the influence of other contact idioms – namely, Belarusian dialects and the Polish language.
Originality. The material for the analysis was recorded in May 2023 during a dialectological
expedition to Northern Podlasie. No earlier materials from the dialect under study have yet been identified, which increases the value of these dialect recordings from this region as a source of linguistic insight. For comparative purposes, linguogeographical sources were used, in particular Kurashkevych’s maps and studies, the AGWB, as well as data from dialects neighboring Kaniuky.
Main results of the study. The phonetic features are interpreted from an areal perspective, with
attention to their continuity in other Ukrainian dialects – particularly those of Northern Podlasie – as well as within the Belarusian and Polish continuum; on the basis of available linguistic sources, the dynamics of the features of the dialect under study are analyzed. The analysis provides grounds to argue for the stability of the phonetic features and the Ukrainian character of the dialect, as well as its affiliation with the Northern Ukrainian dialectal group, since most of its features show areal continuity in other Northern Podlasie dialects of the Western Polissian group. Belarusian features are sporadic; in addition, the influence of Polish as the language of the titular nation, spoken by all dialect speakers, is noted; this influence displays a clear socio-age-related differentiation.
Conclusions and specific suggestions of the author. Against the background of general Polissian tendencies prevailing in the dialect, in some cases specific continuants of ancient vowels have been identified. This may indicate either very recent influences from the Polish language or a particular developmental trajectory of Proto-Slavic vowels in these dialects. Such distinctive features, including isolated word forms, require further investigation.