13. Classifications of Languages

What is the difference between 'Extensiver Ausbau' and 'Intensiver Ausbau'?

Extensiver Ausbau: The language is established in all formal "distance" domains, such as literature, science, law, and administration. Intensiver Ausbau: The language develops the internal linguistic resources (specialized technical terminology and complex syntax) required for nuanced formal communication.

Explain the 'Abstand' vs. 'Ausbau' distinction by Heinz Kloss.

Abstand (Distance): A variety is a language because it is structurally unique compared to others. Ausbau (Development): A variety is a language because it has been socially/politically "built up" (standardized) to function in official life, regardless of its structural distance from neighbors.

Which major language family does the Romance group belong to genetically?

The Indo-European language family (Indogermania). Genetic classification groups Romance languages into this large family based on their common historical ancestry from Latin.

What is the 'La Spezia-Rimini Line' and which two regions does it separate?

It is the most important bundle of isoglosses in the Romance world, separating Western Romania (Westromania) from Eastern Romania (Ostromania).

Name two phonetic/morphological features that define 'Westromania'.

1. Sigmatic Plurals: Plurals formed with -s (e.g., Spanish libros). 2. Lenition: The "weakening" of voiceless consonants between vowels (e.g., Latin sapere > Spanish saber).

Name two features that define 'Ostromania'.

1. Vocalic Plurals: Plurals formed by changing the final vowel (e.g., Italian libri). 2. Preservation of Consonants: Voiceless consonants between vowels do not weaken (e.g., Italian sapere).

What is 'Romania Submersa'?

It refers to the "submerged" Romance areas—territories where Romance languages were once spoken (like North Africa, Britain, or the Moselle region) but were later replaced by other language families.

Define a 'Sprachbund' using the 'Balkansprachbund' as an example.

A Sprachbund is a linguistic area where languages become similar due to geographical contact rather than shared ancestry. Romanian belongs to the Balkansprachbund, sharing features like the post-posed article (lupul) with non-Romance neighbors like Bulgarian.

How does 'Typological Classification' differ from 'Genetic Classification'?

Genetic focuses on history and ancestry (the family tree). Typological focuses on internal structure and grammar (e.g., SVO word order, analytic vs. synthetic) regardless of history.

What is the typological trend from Latin to Romance regarding 'Synthesis'?

The family has moved from a Synthetic type (Classical Latin, using many case endings) to an Analytic type (modern Romance, using separate articles and prepositions).

Why is French a typological 'outlier' in Romance?

Most Romance languages are Pro-Drop (can omit the subject pronoun). French is Non-Pro-Drop, meaning it must use a subject pronoun (e.g., Je parle), making it structurally more similar to Germanic languages in this regard.

Where does Sardinian fit into the West/East classification?

It is often considered a separate, intermediary, or "Southern" Romance zone. It is typologically archaic, notably preserving a 5-vowel system that did not merge like the rest of the Romance world.