Euskalkien dialektotasunaz

Abstract

The writer deals with the issue of the distribution and classification of the Basque dialects from a scientific point of view by analysing the theoretical approaches of the last few years from a critical perspective. In the process, the author establishes certain important conceptual boundaries: the methodology used when determining the dialects, the function of the diachronic and synchronic approaches, the criteria and the methodology applied for determining the number of dialects, the value of the distinctness of dialects, the language border issue, the homogeneity of the dialects and the nature of the geolinguistic coherence. Two types of dialectologies are distinguished throughout the article: the traditional dialectology based on isoglosses and a diachronic perspective; and the contemporary dialectology which is discussed through synchrony and uses statistical classifying procedures. He ends by placing the future of dialectology in the use of new technologies and methodologies.