Genetic Linguistic Classification of the South Slavic Languages

Abstract

This article discusses the genetic linguistic classification of the South Slavic languages. It presents the formation of individual South Slavic geolects corresponding to language hierarchical gradation from original South Slavic. At an early stage, South Slavic split into West and East South Slavic; Slovenian and Central South Slavic developed from West South Slavic, and Macedonian and Bulgarian developed from East South Slavic. For each language, the article presents its defining characteristics that delimit it in relation to the neighboring languages and within the area, as well as the model of its linguogenesis.

Keywords

• genetic linguistics
• geolinguistics
• geolect
• genetic linguistic classification
• comparative linguistics
• historical linguistics
• south slavic languages