otokanje

Otokanje is a linguistic phenomenon found in some Slavic languages, particularly in certain dialects of Slovene. It refers to the pronunciation of the phoneme /l/ as a vowel, typically /o/ or /u/. This shift is most commonly observed in positions where /l/ is preceded by a vowel, particularly at the end of a word or before a consonant. For instance, words ending in -al or -el might be pronounced with an -ao or -eo sound in otokanje dialects.

The exact origin and spread of otokanje are subjects of linguistic research, with theories pointing to influences from neighboring languages or internal sound changes within the dialects themselves. It is not a standardized feature of Modern Standard Slovene but is characteristic of specific regional dialects, primarily in the western and southern parts of Slovenia. The term "otokanje" itself is derived from the Slovene word for "island," reflecting the island-like distribution of this feature within the broader linguistic landscape.

While otokanje can sometimes create challenges in mutual intelligibility between speakers of different Slovene dialects, it is an integral part of the rich dialectal diversity of the language. Linguists study otokanje to understand the processes of language change and the historical development of Slavic languages. The phenomenon highlights how pronunciation can vary significantly even within closely related speech communities.