South Slavic dialects historically formed a continuum. The turbulent history of the area, particularly due to expansion of the Ottoman Empire, resulted in a patchwork of dialectal and religious differences. Due to population migrations, Shtokavian became the most widespread in the western Balkans, intruding westwards into the area previously occupied by Chakavian and Kajkavian (which further blend into Slovenian in the northwest). Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs differ in religion and were historically often part of different cultural circles, although a large part of the nations have lived side by side under foreign overlords. During that period, the language was referred to under a variety of names, such as "Slavic", "Illyrian", or according to region, "Bosnian", "Serbian" and "Croatian", the latter often in combination with "Slavonian" or "Dalmatian". COUNT 8
QSN1 What is one of the main causes of the turbulent history? ANS1 expansion of the Ottoman Empire QSN2 What was the main cause of the spread of Shtokavian? ANS2 population migrations QSN3 In which geographical region did Shtokavian become wide spread? ANS3 western Balkans QSN4 What was one of the major differences between the Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs? ANS4 religion QSN5 What is "Illyrian?" ANS5 language QSN6 What were some of the names given to language during period of foreign control? ANS6 "Slavic", "Illyrian", or according to region, "Bosnian", "Serbian" and "Croatian" QSN7 What specific historical event caused a group of religious and verbal differences in South Slavic dialect? ANS7 expansion of the Ottoman Empire QSN8 Why was Shtokavian the most widespread culture in the western Balkans?  ANS8 population migrations