The digital archive of the Stivor dialect – Stivorling – was successfully presented at the Institute for Balkan studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Belgrade. The presentation was led by Professor Marija Runić and Rossella Montibeler, a representative of the Stivor community and one of the authors of the project.
Attendees, mostly from the academic world – professors, linguists, and researchers – were introduced to the work carried out on the archive, with the opportunity to listen to authentic audio recordings in the dialect, preserved within the Stivorling project.
One of the key topics that emerged during the presentation was: “Who is the typical speaker of the Stivor dialect?” Research has shown that within the village itself, there are several dialectal variations. A person’s way of speaking was influenced by their level of education, life circumstances, and the strength of their connection to the local community. Another major factor was the degree of contact with Italian speakers or neighboring populations, especially through work and migration, which left traces in the linguistic expression. These differences in speech were clearly heard during the event, through audio recordings of three different speakers – each with a unique life path and experience, both within and outside the community.
A particularly moving moment came when a woman from the audience, whose grandparents were originally from Stivor and who has lived in Belgrade for many years, took the floor. For her, the presentation held a personal and emotional meaning, reminding her of her family roots and the language of her childhood.
Anyone who wishes to listen to the audio recordings shared during the presentation can do so by visiting the archive’s audio library at: https://stivorling.com/audio/
We thank everyone who attended and supported this event. Gatherings like this confirm the importance of connecting communities and academic research, and offer additional encouragement for the documentation and preservation of the Stivor dialect.