Language Contact in South Central Siberia

The volume offers a description of the history and linguistic consequences of Russian-Turkic contacts in two adjacent republics in the Altai-Sayan region of south central Siberia, viz. Khakasia and Tuva. First an overview of Russian-Turkic contacts is offered. Next follows a lengthy outline of the standardized form of Khakas to serve as a basis of comparison for the data discussed in subsequent chapters. The complex linguistic history of Abakan, the capital of Khakasia is addressed, in particular what indigenous sources have contributed to the modern urban vernacular. This is in large part the result of intense mixing and amalgamation of the diverse dialects of Khakas. Further the role that Russian has played in shaping the modern speech variety attested in the capital city is examined in detail. Finally, Abakan Khakas data is compared with that of Kyzyl Tuvan, spoken in the capital city of the significantly less Russianized Republic of Tuva. The volume also includes a brief general discussion of the dynamics of language contact and structural change in languages under conditions of contact.