Grammar and Dictionary of the Vlach Language / Γραμματική και Λεξικό της βλάχικης γλώσσας

Abstract
This paper presents an applied, functional writing system for the Vlach (Aromanian) language, with direct application to the grammar and dictionary of the local variety of Pogoni (Epirus, Greece). As Vlach remains a critically endangered, primarily oral language with significant geographical variations, the need for a practical written codification is imperative. The proposed methodology avoids the use of non-standard phonetic symbols, relying exclusively on standard Latin characters and intuitive reading rules. The suitability of the system is systematically evaluated based on five core principles: phonological adequacy, rule economy, readability by native speakers, consistency, and simplicity. Particular emphasis is placed on addressing complex phonological phenomena, such as consonant palatalization and post-alveolar modification through the universal marker y (e.g., wy = [ʝ], sy = [ʃ]), alongside a streamlined accentuation framework using the circumflex (ˆ). The preliminary results demonstrate that this system successfully accommodates the phonological requirements of the local dialect, laying the groundwork for broader experimental testing across other Vlach varieties and contributing to the creation of modern digital language resources.

Keywords: Vlach language, dialectology, writing systems, Pogoni dialect, language documentation, computational linguistics.
Project URL: https://www.remen.gr/index.php/vlaxoi/grammatologika/345-ena-leitourgiko-systima-grafis-gia-ti-vlaxiki-glossa

https://www.remen.gr/index.php/vlaxoi/grammatologika/241-leksiko (Version 0.5.0)