A Bidialectal Programme for the Learning of Standard Modern Greek in Cyprus

Abstract

This study addresses bidialectism by investigating the linguistic situation on the bidialectal island of Cyprus where Standard Modern Greek (SMG) and the regional Cypriot dialect (CD) are both routinely used. The study implemented a language programme that embraced both sociolinguistic and educational factors and was designed to teach SMG by using the CD as a facilitating tool, while simultaneously ensuring the maintenance of the CD. A quasi-experimental design was used in the application and evaluation of this bidialectal method, comparing a control group and an experimental group of final-year primary-school students in terms of phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexis. Quantitative analysis of the results revealed that the method had a marked positive effect on the oral and written production of the standard variety. This was due to explicit and conscious comparison of learners’ regional dialectal mother tongue with the standard target variety.