Tsakonian
Tsakonian, also called Tsakoniotika, is a Greek dialect spoken in the Tsakonian region of the eastern Peloponnese, centered around Leonidio and neighboring villages. It is often described as a highly divergent descendant of Doric Greek rather than a standard Modern Greek dialect.
Classification and origins: Tsakonian belongs to the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family, with features that
Geography and speakers: The language is spoken in a small area of the eastern Peloponnese. Tsakonian is
Linguistic characteristics: Tsakonian features unique verb forms and a lexicon distinct from Standard Greek, along with
Status and study: Recognized as a key example of the Greek dialect continuum and Doric heritage, Tsakonian