Promotion of the book “Bosnian Grammar - Syntax Vol 1” by Prof. Dr. Ismail Palić held

On 26 September 2024, the promotion of a book “Bosnian Grammar - Syntax Vol 1” by Prof. Dr. Ismail Palić, a linguist and full professor at the University of Sarajevo Faculty of Philosophy was held in the UNSA Rectorate’s Ceremonial Hall. This capital work was presented by prominent linguists Prof. Dr. Sci. Ivo Pranjković, emeritus and member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prof. Dr. Sci. Branimir Belaj, full professor at the Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek, and Prof. Dr. Sci. Mirela Omerović, full professor at the Faculty of Education, University of Sarajevo, while the promotion was moderated by M.Sc. Elmira Resić, senior associate of the Language Institute of the University of Sarajevo. The promotion program was completed by a musical performance by Merjema Alihodžić, a student at the Music Academy of the University of Sarajevo, and Merjema Sidran, a student at the Sarajevo High School of Music.

The book was published by the University of Sarajevo Language Institute, so Dr. Jasmin Hodžić, director of the Institute addressed the attendees and citied the fact that grammatical topics are the focus of scientific research work of only a few Bosnians, and emphasized the importance of Prof. Palić’s book. He concluded that grammar is the foundation of linguistic Bosnian studies, he congratulated the author and wished him to continue his perseverance in his future work.

The structure and theoretical-methodological starting point of the book were extensively presented by the reviewers of this edition. Prof. Dr. Sci. Ivo Pranjković stated that the Grammar of the Bosnian language. Syntax. Book 1 contains the most complete and best description of the syntactic structure of a simple sentence in the Bosnian language, and in this case it also means other standard idioms based on Stokavian dialect. He explained his point of view through the presentation of significant parts of the Grammar. Although he respects the traditional syntactic descriptions in South Slavic philologies as much as possible, as stated by prof. Pranjković, the book contains so far undescribed thematic units, that is, units described in a new way, where certain theoretical and methodological positions do not stick out anywhere or are explicitly elaborated, but are unobtrusively integrated into the description itself. He concluded that the first book of this three-volume edition is of exceptional value and that it represents a huge step forward in the research of the grammatical structure of the Bosnian (as well as Croatian, Serbian and Montenegrin) language, but also in syntactic research in general.

The detailed analysis and interpretation of the four sections of the book (Approach; Syntax Overview; Verbs; Verb Phrase and Clause) by Prof. Dr. Sci. Branimir Belaj. Analytical presentation of crucial aspects of the book, which illuminate a new perspective on established syntactic interpretations, highlighted the important linguistic contribution of Prof. Palić.

Prof. Dr. Sci. Mirela Omerović stated that the first volume of the new Grammar of the Bosnian language is the result of many years of thinking and dealing with the grammatical contents of its author in full capacity, which implies the foundation of the presented interpretations, classifications and the set model in the author's very fruitful scientific-research opus of fundamental grammatical topics, their constant questioning and refining the approach to language structure. She pointed out that this is an undertaking that should be respected, especially because prof. With his dedicated intellectual capacity, Palić surpassed numerous recognized linguists in the South Slavic area by starting the writing of a three-volume grammar independently, without anyone's professional or financial support, and that this is a capital work for the Bosnian academic and social community because in the standardization process grammar is the backbone of a language, and language is the identity of a society and an individual as a social being.

On this occasion, University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, made an address and pointed out that today's promotion of the work represents an important moment for Bosnian studies and linguistics in general. Reminding that this Grammar comes 24 years after the first Grammar in modern Bosnian studies, he emphasized that Prof. Palić produced an extremely important work that, far exceeding the scope of Bosnian studies as a narrow scientific field, strengthens the position of the Bosnian language in the best way in the community of contemporary languages ​​and takes on a national importance as a gift to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina regardless of religion, nation, political affiliation and origin because the grammar of the Bosnian language is the grammar of one identity.

The promotion was concluded with an address by the author, Prof. Dr. Ismail Palić, who, after expressing his gratitude to Rector and the Language Institute, promoters and collaborators on the realization of this publication, reflected on the long-term, dedicated and painstaking work process. He pointed out that the creation of the book was motivated by the need to write a grammar that would be its own with their scope, depth and breadth of interest and description of linguistic structures, thoroughly responded to the needs of Bosnian language research. Referring to the subject and the initial idea, he stated that this book is the result of his multi-decade studious study of grammar and syntax in relation to pragmatics and semantics, based on a combination of traditional approaches and contemporary perspectives on grammar and the task of incorporating all the relevant elements that established descriptive grammar they often omit, presenting language as an idealized system where everything is very clearly determined by precise rules without exceptions. He promised that, despite the difficulties he encounters as an independent author without institutional and financial support, he will continue to work on the preparation of a new volume of this grammar.