Not so many but some : A comparative study of dialectal decrease and continuity in the Ljungby dialect 1944–2006

Abstract The aim of the study is to investigate how the dialect in Ljungby has changed over the last 60 years. This comparative study is based on recordings of two male informants. The first recording was made around 1944 and the second one in 2006. The focus is on lexicon, grammar, syntax and pronunciation. The study is based on the assumption that dialectal features have decreased and that the language is closer to standard Swedish now than it was 60 years ago. The results of the study show that: Dialect words and dialectal grammar have decreased. The dialectal grammar used today is spread over larger geographical areas than before. The pronunciation is now closer to standard Swedish than it was, regarding both vowels and consonants. The use of diphthongs has increased. There are many different reasons for the dialectal decrease, such as improved education, change of social structure and the effect of mass media. It is probably a combination of factors that has led to this result.