Episode Details

Until a few decades ago, the people of Pirot proudly spoke in their distinctive dialect, which had remained unchanged for centuries because people mostly lived in closed communities. However, with the spread of television, industry, and schools, this speech began to slowly disappear as many southern speakers were exposed to ridicule and a sense of inferiority due to various stereotypes. In recent times, parents have even begun strictly teaching their children to speak exclusively in the literary language, pretending as if the native dialect does not exist. Although citizens have turned to material progress and symbols like famous food and kilim rugs to express success, the language of their ancestors has remained suppressed. Therefore, experts rightly warn today that this unique speech should be preserved through schools, literature, and culture before it disappears completely.

SOURCE:

• Nikolić G. O menjanju i napuštanju pirotskog govora u drugoj polovini XX i početkom XXI veka. Pirotski zbornik. 2021;(46):133-76. doi: 10.5937/pirotzbor2146133N