Collective memory, social practices and the role of the dialect in to y’s Ts koni n community

In this contribution, we analyze various factors which could affect the situation either directly or indirectly. These are a very popular belief in unique antiquity and archaic nature of the dialect, tourist attraction of the region, national and global policies aimed at support of the minority languages and cultures, activities of local amateurs, educational programs for children and adults, expeditions and scholarly interest in the local community, etc. The importance of the aforementioned factors cannot be disputed, since they really provoke interest to traditional culture and language, but they are unable to become a real basis for the identity or to ensure long-term vitality of Tsakonian dialect. The latter fully depends on the communicative potential and the ability to transmit information. The presence of other alternative language (Standard Modern Greek) which is more appropriate for these functions inevitably leads to decline of the dialect. However, Tsakonian has a remarkable symbolic value — its hypothetical direct links with Ancient Greek. Unfortunately, it also cannot result in pragmatic need of Tsakonian. We believe that relatively recent involvement of Tsakonian in social and ritual practices which constitute collective memory and modern local identity (like the celebration of Easter) are much more important for the preservation and the status of the dialect.