The Language Community: Traditional Linguistic Communities in the Western Romania

Abstract

The language community creates a universe defined in terms of social analysis where linguistic phenomena reflect general rules of behavior. Most groups with certain stability – both small groups related through direct contact and modern nations, divided into smaller sub regions or professional associations and small local groups ̶ can be considered as language communities if they present language features that demand a special study. Verbal behavior of such groups always represents a system. Communication of referential information means grammar, while communication of social information implicates a correlative systematic variation in the structure of language and in the social structure. The Western part of our country shows a distinct mosaic of linguistic communities who have contributed in preserving spiritual and cultural identity of ethnic minorities. Spiritual and cultural identity means language and tradition, preserved in various types of language communities.

Keywords

• language community
• bilingualism
• acculturation
• linguistic influence
• linguistic code