Evidence for the modification of dialect classification of modern spoken Faroese

Abstract

Abstract In this article, a revised classification of Faroese dialects is presented. Unlike previous classifications, this one takes into account the development and synchronic distribution of unstressed -i’s and -u’s, which has given rise to changes in the inflectional system. In addition to this, it looks both at stressed vowels and aspirated vs. non-aspirated -p, -t, -k after long vowels. As a result of this evidence, necessary changes to the generally accepted classification system are proposed, with four general dialect areas including transition areas.