That river (rijeka/rika) we must cross - The phonology of the local dialect of Podgradina in the Neretva area

Abstract

Based on field research, this paper describes the phonological features of the local dialect of Podgradina, which belongs to the group of Slivno dialects. The river Neretva has always been the border between the Ijekavian and Ikavian dialects. However, along with the Ijekavian population from Zažablje and Popovo, Podgradina has been inhabited by an Ikavian population from the Makarska littoral and the Vrgorac region, while the Neo-Štokavian Ikavian Opuzen dialect has exerted a strong influence in recent years. Therefore, this work will define the differences between the phonological system of the Podgradina dialect and other Slivno dialects.

Keywords

• Slivno
• Podgradina
• phonology
• Štokavian dialect
• eastern Herzegovinian dialect
• Neo-Štokavian Ikavian dialect