The pervasiveness of language contact: Evidence from negative existentials in Romeyka/Turkish code-switching

This paper investigates the morpho-syntactic features of language contact in endangered Greek dialect Romeyka with Turkish. We analyze use borrowed negative existential jok to (a) determine its role Romeyka’s negation patterns (b) examine effects through cross-linguistic comparisons Turkish and forms as spoken Greece (c) apply identified grammatical Myers-Scotton’s linguistic explanations for code switching phenomena Matrix Language Turnover Hypothesis. The analysis demonstrates pervasive influence on morpho-syntax incorporation structures. observe changes fundamental predicate grammar that are aligned inconsistent Pontic’s constructions where verb indicating existence is used. confirm hypothesis provide evidence indicate may be undergoing turnover. Our findings relevant further understanding among speakers minority languages assessing vitality Turkey.