Strategies of Croatian Linguistic Purism and the Presence of Foreign Elements

Linguistic purism is the practice of attempting to preserve a language by refusing foreign words, usually in favor of native or neologistic equivalents. Linguistic purism in Croatian has a long tradition based on historical and political reasons. Similar to other languages, Croatian has been influenced by many throughout its history, since the speakers of Croatian also came in contact with numerous other peoples and nations due to war or trade. But since the 19th and -20 centuries, linguistic purism has risen at great scales where language purists have debated over loanwords in Croatian and support towards preservation of its cultural identity.

In this post, we will look at the basics of Croatian linguistic purism, what loanwords can be found in the language today, what the consequences of that purism may be socially and culturally, and how Croatia has tried to stay away from loans throughout its history.

Croatian Linguistic Purism: Its Roots

As Croatia, then a couching of Austro-Hungarian Empire the 19th century was starting to feel national identity, the movement toward linguistic purism began. The Croatian language became increasingly seen as a marker of cultural distinctiveness by Croatian intellectuals and nationalists. At the same time, Croatian linguistic purism was motivated by inclination to preserve the language from external influences (especially Serbian, Hungarian and other foreign languages).

Not only was the idea here to maintain the linguistic integrity of Croatian, but also make it a symbol at that. Consequently, language reformers and cultural activists undertook steps to replace German, Turkish, Italian, and Hungarian loanwords with Croatian equivalents. Simultaneously, they also marketed the vocabulary and grammar to be used that was unique to Croatian as a way of setting it apart from Serbian.

Croatian linguistic purism rose in prominence through the Yugoslav era, especially after World War II when the governments of socialist Yugoslavia aimed at a standardized Serbo-Croatian language. Such circumstances gave rise to policies that advocated for linguistic uniformity of the South Slavs, as distinct national identities were preserved. As a counter reaction, Croatian linguists stressed the need to preserve Croatian linguistic norms (especially in opposition to what they perceived as Serbian influence), and those demands precipitated a reassertion of linguistic purism at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, particularly during Croatia's independence process and nation-building.

From a Historical Perspective: Loanwords in Croatian

Over the centuries, Croatian has borrowed from a range of languages due to its geographic location and contact with neighboring cultures. The most important sources of loanwords in Croatian are:

Turkish: Zbog višestoljetnog prisustva Osmanskog carstva na Balkanu, u hrvatski jezik, posebno u terminima administracija, vojska i svakodnevni život prodiralo puno turskih riječiReligious vs. Such as "čaj" (for tea), "duhan" (tobacco), and "bazar" (market) and sudžuk (a kind of sausage).

Forensic: Due to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Croatia being a part of the empire for centuries, there are many German loanwords found mainly in government and technology as well as trade. Even words such as šef (boss or head), zbor (choir), račun (bill/account) and prozor (window) [2][3][4]] are derived from the German language.

Italienne : Les régions côtières de Croatie, en particulier le long de la mer Adriatique, ont eu des relations culturelles et économiques avec l'''Italie depuis longtemps qui ont entraîné un grand nombre de mots empruntés à l'italien dans les domaines nautiques, architecturaux et artistiques. To take an example: "barka" (boat), "fijaker" (carriage) and "piazza" (place) are all italian loans.

Croatius: The geographical proximity, especially in the times of Austro-Hungarian empire led to many Hungarian words entering into Croatian language. This includes the likes of "trgovina" (store), "komanda" (command) and "ugovor" (contract).

English: Recently, especially since globalisation, one of the biggest loanword sources for Croatian has been English. Especially in fields like tech, business, media and pop-culture. Terms such as internet, kompjuter, marketing and šoping are common in everyday Croatian.

Linguistic Purism - Preserving Croatian

The position of loanwords in Croatian is a disputed one and has frequently come to the forefront, especially since the 20th century when numerous foreign words (especially English) started to filter into the language. While loanwords rose in popularity, so too did attempts at limiting the impact of foreign words through linguistic purism. This was aimed at the preservation of Croatian national identity, and prevention of excessive foreign influence on the language.

An important institution for the protection of the Croatian language is, among other things, the Institute of Croatian Language and Linguistics founded in 1950. The institute centralised the regulation of the Croatian lexicon, coining new words to take place of foreign loanwords, and encouraging their application in official and public life. For instance, rather than using the English term 'telefon' (telephone) the institute recommends that they use the native expression of 'telefonski uređaj' (telephone device).

A further major form of linguistic purism is the creation and advocacy of neologisms. For example, "računalo" was invented to replace "kompjuter" (computer). Likewise, we used "pjesma" and "glazba" instead of "song" and "music".

As much as some claim that linguistic purism is a must to conserve our cultural identity, others think that it also causes stagnation of the language. Language purists contend that the use of foreign terminology undermines the distinctiveness and cultural value of Croatian. Their worry is that if nothing is done, the language will slowly become more and more indistinguishable from other globalised tongues — most notably English.

The Problems with Linguistic Purism

However, the new wave of linguistic purism Croatia is facing today has its share of adversities. Best efforts of linguistic establishment to promote native words have failed and so many loanwords (notably with English roots) have entered into language, primarily in urban centres/youth culture/business life.

One cannot underplay the challenge of dominance by English in fields like technology, entertainment and business. In an ever globalising world, preserving linguistic purity is becoming ever more difficult with many young Croatians coming into contact with English language through media, social networks and popular culture. Such as "Facebook" or "email" or "smartphone", which are used directly and there is an attempt to replace them with the Croatian equivalent.

Additionally, opponents of linguistic purism also assert that the movement tends toward prescriptiveness and inhibits organic language change. Languages are not however lifeless or static, they are adaptative systems that evolve and change regularly depending on their new cultural and technological contexts, stopping the encroachment of global tongues may only push later generations away from locally spoken varieties more comfortable with terms that exist in a modern internationalized context.

Where does Croatian linguistic purism go from here

The debate over loanwords in Croatian signifies much deeper issues around language, culture and identity between linguistic purism and common speech practice. At the same time, linguistic purism is still an important tool for preserving the Croatian language against globalization, Americanization and foreign input. However, it also shows how language can change in an interconnected world with the introduction of foreign, especially English words.

In the end, it seems that the future of Croatian linguistic purism will be a balancing act: one that aims to uphold the cultural essence of the language while permitting just enough progression through adapting. The language stands as a testament to the uniqueness and resilience of Croatian identity, and whatever commitment Croatian linguists, educators and policymakers do could be instrumental in determining the future of the language–for better or for worse. Croatia: preservation poised for the challenge of modernity conclude Its linguistic terrain will certainly change as a country constantly tips the scales between preservation and innovation within their society as they keep learning to balance 134 elements.