Regional Dialects in the Lithuanian Urban Space: Skills, Practices and Attitudes

Abstract

The standard language ideology in Lithuania influences the use of regional dialects and the attitudes towards dialects. Based on data from several research projects on language use and attitudes carried out in Lithuanian cities and towns, this chapter deals with issues of dialect choice in different domains and the value of dialects. The analysis shows that people living in towns recognize Lithuanian dialects. About half of them affirm having proficiency in a dialect, but about 16% of these do not use it. People in towns who can speak a dialect usually use it with the people closest to them in the private sphere and far less frequently in public and semi-public life. Dialects are more known and used by older people. Much less dialect code is used with younger generations. This shows that the natural passing of a dialect from one generation to another is starting to break down.

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