Mehrsprachigkeit in den zimbrischen Sprachinseln anhand einiger syntaktischer Phänomene

In this paper we discuss some areas of the syntax of Lusérn Cimbrian. Our aim ts to show the possible effects of longstanding multilingualism on a German-based minority language that is not in contact with standard German. In particular, we analysed three areas of the verbal, nominal and sentence modification, which may have their roots in the pluricentennal multilingualism of these communities and of the alpine areas. As a matter of fact, The foundation of the Cimbrian Colonies on south versant of the north-eastern Alps goes back to a period in which this region in the heart of Europe was extremely inter-networked. Ancient relics of this far-distant epoch are the pasture rights, which are still used today by shepherds from the Schnalstal and the Schlanderser Sonnenberg in South Tyrol, who drive their animals every summer over the snow-covered main Alpine ridge to the summer pastures in the rear Ötztal in Austria, or the many pilgrim paths, which often connect distant areas and villages with a specific pilgrimage place. Just think of the annual pilgrimage of the Pladners and the inhabitants of Comelico in Veneto to Maria Luggau in Austria, or the procession of the Prettauers from the rearmost Ahrntal to Ehrenburg in Pustertal to the image of the Grain Mother (Mary in the spike dress), not to mention the traditional routes to the markets, such as the Sealamorkt (All Souls' Day Market) of Glurns in Upper Vinschgau, once one of the most important autumn livestock markets in the Alpine region, which today still attracts visitors from Austria and Switzerland, or from the important trade routes, such as the Via Claudia Augusta, which connected Augsburg via Trento with Venice and whose logistical use helped the Fuggers to great wealth.