Convergence and Divergence of the Balkan Peoples and their Languages

Abstract

The article examines the interaction of the Balkan peoples in the composition of multinational empires. Widespread multilingualism and frequent switching from one language to another eventually led to the formation of the Balkan Linguistic Union. With the rise of national consciousness in the 19th century and the change of political configuration, the process of convergence of the Balkan languages was interrupted. Moreover, individual regional dialects of some languages, once united by a common name, took on a life of their own. But there is also a reverse process, languages artificially separated for political reasons are regaining their former integrity.