Den herre språkdama på de derre tekstlabben

Abstract

Complex demonstratives consist of a definite element (in Norwegian e.g. den or sa) followed by a deictic element which can be proximal (‘here’) or distal (‘there’). In Norwegian there is much variation in complex demonstratives, in particular in the dialects. Many dialects have demonstrative systems that differ considerably from the systems found in the standard varieties Nynorsk and Bokmål. Some systems make more distinctions than the standard varieties, for example nominative and dative case, or different forms for deictic and anaphor-ic reference, whereas other systems make fewer distinctions than the standard varieties, for example with an invariant deictic element that does not agree with the head noun in gender and number. We illustrate these systems using older and newer corpus data from different parts of the country. Our focus is however on dialects from Central Norway.