The Problem of Localizing the Southern Border of the Middle Izh Dialects of the Udmurt Language: Phonetic and Dialectological Analysis

Introduction. The relevance of this study is determined by the limited scholarly attention given to the transitional dialects of the Udmurt language within Udmurt dialectology, coupled with the ongoing processes of assimilation and the levelling of dialectal features under contemporary conditions. Consequently, the task of conducting a comprehensive investigation of dialectal zones, including the delineation of the boundaries of these transitional dialects, is of paramount importance. The precise demarcation of their geographical distribution is essential not only for the description and comparison of dialectal idioms but also for the reconstruction of linguistic and historical processes characteristic of the Udmurt language. The aim of this research is to determine the southern boundary of the Middle Izh dialects, situated within the transitional area between the central dialects and the southern dialect of the Udmurt language, through the identification of their distinct phonetic and morphological features. Materials and Methods. The empirical foundation of this study is comprised of dialectological texts collected by the author and by students of Udmurt State University across nine settlements in the Malopurginsky District of the Udmurt Republic. The methodological framework of the research incorporates synchronic-descriptive, comparative, and auditory-analytical methods. These approaches enabled the systematic recording and description of the dialects under investigation in their contemporary state, as well as a comparative analysis with other dialects of the Udmurt language. The collection of dialectological material was conducted utilizing the method of participant observation, which ensured the acquisition of representative data through the recording of speakers’ spontaneous speech in a naturalistic setting. Results and Discussion. The analysis of dialectal data revealed that the vernaculars within the studied linguistic area generally possess a similar phonological system. However, it was established that the vernaculars of the villages of Aksakshur, Bagrash-Bigra, Gozhnya, and Kuregovo exhibit specific linguistic phenomena – such as the presence of a glottal stop and consonant voicing – which distinguish them from other dialects. These features provide a basis for their classification within the Southern dialect of the Udmurt language and allow for the demarcation of the southern boundary of the Middle Izh sub-dialects through the villages of Baysitovo, Minderovo, Kechur, and Kulaevo. Conclusion. The author presents the first scientifically grounded delineation of the southern boundary of the Middle Izh dialects within Udmurt linguistics. This refinement of their geographical distribution provides a foundation for subsequent comprehensive study. The article constitutes a significant contribution to the field of Udmurt dialectology and, more broadly, to the general theory of Permic linguistics.