| Abstract [eng] |
Youth and Dialects: Knowledge, Usage and Attitudes. A Case of Pasvalys This paper is analysing how youth in whole Lithuania and in Pasvalys is using and knowing local dialects. Also teens in Pasvalys were asked about attitudes and opinions towards said local dialect. Students were asked to fill a questionnaire; the data was organised and analysed by three main variables: age (there was two groups: younger teens (age 14–16) and older teens (age 16–20)), gender and domains (home, school and public situations). Main thesis tasks were to analyse results from the questionnaires in both Lithuania and Pasvalys; to research, whether gender, age and domains have influence on dialect use; to see what kind of attitudes teens have about their local dialect; also to ask teens, why they choose to use or not to use local dialect in certain situations. The analysis results showed that in general, Lithuanian teens more often declared that do not know any dialect at all; meantime students from Pasvalys said that they know and use local dialect very often. Also results showed that gender factor does have influence only in public domains: in Lithuania and in Pasvalys girls more often declared that they do not use dialect in the public. Age factor was not very significant; however more younger respondents in Lithuania said that they are using dialect in various domains. Domains, in fact, were one of the most significant factor: results showed, that dialect is used more in home, with friends and unofficial situations; Lithuanian Standart language is used more in public situations, with teachers, strangers. Teens in Pasvalys have positive attitudes towards local dialect; they are proud of it, think, that their local dialect is beautiful and unique. The positive attitudes towards local dialects and the fact that dialects are often used by teens in private (and sometimes – public) situations shows that dialects in Pasvalys – still lively and strong. |
