Accusative and Dative Clitics in Southern Macedonian and Northern Greek Dialects Eleni Buzarovska University of Skopje "Sts. Cyrill and Methodius" The paper deals with certain aspects of the process oĂ Balkanization,^ a term used in linguistics to denote a convergent, unifying phenomenon as opposed to its modem political meaning of separatism and fragmentation. The aim of this paper is to render support for the hypothesis" that Greek syntax has influenced the syntax of the neighboring South Slavic dialects. The above thesis will be substantiated by looking into two interrelated diachronic processes: (1) the merger of accusative and dative clitics within the verb phrase; and (2) the penetration of the preposition na (indirect object marker) into direct object constructions. In other words, it will be argued that the polyfunctionality of Greek dative clitics pushes the adverbal dative to be expressed in a different way from the adnominal in the Northern dialect, thereby causing isomorphism of the accusative and dative constructions. At the same time, taking into consideration the language contact situation in the region, this dative shift or, more precisely, the above mentioned isomorphism, indirectly enables the intrusion of the preposition na with the accusative into the southemmost Slavic dialects. These two structural changes have taken place in Southem Macedonian dialects which have been exposed more than other dialects to the effects of the Balkanization process {cf. TopoliĂąska 1995b). While the second phenomenon was first recorded at the end of the 19th century,' researchers of the southem dialects have registered and described the above phenomena without referring to the causes of their emergence (with the notable exception of TopoliĂąska 1995a). Thus, a systematic, explanatory study of both phenomena is lacking. In arguing that the two processes in the southemmost Slavic language systems were caused by contact with Northem Greek dialects, a plausible etiology and a chronology of the analyzed changes will be offered. By comparing diachronic and synchronie evidence I will try to achieve two complementary goals: (1) show that due to the acceptance of the Northern Greek grammatical Balkanistica 14 (2001)
Accusative and Dative Clitics in Southern Macedonian and Northern Greek Dialects - Eleni Bužarovska
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