Srpski komonvelt = Српски комонвелт: the linguistic model of the definition of the Serbian nation by Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic and the project of the creation of a linguistically-determined Serbian national state by Ilija Garašanin

Abstract

The present work investigates the linguistic model of national identification of the South Slavs designed by Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic in 1836 and the programme for the restructuring of the political map of the Balkan Peninsula drafted by llija Garasanin in 1844, This work is an attempt to reconstruct the understanding of Karadzic and Garasanin of those components of group consciousness which could affect the sense of belonging to the same community ("togetherness"). Relevant to the problem of identity are explicit or implicit frames of reference by which members of one (the "inner") group might be distinguished from the other (the "outer") groups. Special attention is given to the different traditions and beliefs, particularly those trying to explain the origin of a group, common symbols and above all common group characteristics which create a distinct identity. [...]