Projects / Programmes
Opportunities and possibilities of preservation and revitalization of the Slovene language among the Slovene minority community in the neighbouring states
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.05.02 |
Humanities |
Linguistics |
Theoretical and applied linguistics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H350 |
Humanities |
Linguistics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.02 |
Humanities |
Languages and Literature |
Slovene, system of education, Province of Udine, Raba Valley, Međimurje County, Varaždin County, dialects, language revitalisation
Researchers (7)
Organisations (4)
Abstract
The status of Slovene community in the neighbouring states results from different social, economic and political processes in the past. Empirical data show that despite adequate legal protection of Slovene minority in the neighbouring states, decrease of the Slovene language speakers and intergeneration language ties in some cross-border settings can be noticed.
The project "Opportunities and possibilities of preservation and revitalization of the Slovene language among the Slovene minority community in the neighbouring states" will cover the Province of Udine (Italy), the Raba Valley (Hungary), and the Međimurje and Varaždin counties (Croatia). In all these regions the status of the Slovene community and the Slovene language is marked by the historical situation and current social context.
The linguistic status of the Slovenian minority in the Province of Udine is much different to those in the provinces of Trieste and Gorizia. In the Province of Udine, Slovene is seldom used in public, bilingual signs are rare, and the Italian education system does not intend to include Slovene in its curriculum, in spite of several exceptions in majority schools. In the Raba Valley, a major percentage of Slovenes do not speak Slovene anymore, and the intergenerational transmission of Slovene is scarcely present. Meanwhile, there have not been any studies on language skill and use in the Varaždin and Međimurje counties. Due to a serious decline in the number of Slovenes, which is most probably a consequence of assimilation, the Slovenian community in the Varaždin County developed an effective framework and succeeded in introducing the instruction of Slovene in public schools. A similar initiative is taking place in the Međimurje County, and this calls for efforts for promoting the instruction of Slovene in schools and for following up parents’ views on Slovene.
The project will underline another important aspect, namely the role and meaning of regional dialects in relation to Standard Slovene. There are different language identifications in regions with minorities, with Standard Slovene (Slovene Literary Language) representing only one of the strata of linguistic identification on the standard/literary language-dialect axis.
The aim of the project is to determine the meaning and methods of preserving Slovene in Slovenian communities in actual microenvironments (the Province of Udine, the Raba Valley, and the Međimurje and Varaždin counties), with emphasis on studying the meaning and methods of teaching Slovene within the system of formal education.
The theoretical underpinnings of our research will build on the models of authors such as Fishman; Giles, Bourhis & Taylor; Grin & Moring, who, in their work, define the factors affecting language vitality.
The main focus of our research will be seeking answers to the following questions: which are the strong and weak factors of preserving and promoting Slovene in the neighboring countries; is Slovene an interesting and viable choice for the inhabitants of the Province of Udine, the Raba Valley, and the Međimurje and Varaždin counties; what does Slovene signify for the members of the minority and the members of the majority; is language in the present circumstances still a (or even the most) significant ethnic marker; what are the influences of migration and globalization processes on people’s viewpoints and the use patterns of Slovene; what are the intergenerational differences in the choice of language patterns and viewpoints, and their links to historical and socioeconomic components; what are the language practices in different domains in the Province of Udine, the Raba Valley, and the Međimurje and Varaždin counties; what is the influence of the increased interest of majority members for enrolling children in bilingual schools and for learning Slovene; what is the identification of the speakers of Slovene in the Province of Udine and the Raba Valley with Standard Slovene (literary language)
Significance for science
Empirical data collected within the course of the project will contribute to the construction of databases with relevant primary data, and also to theoretical production on the basis of collected data. This enables us to develop and test research hypotheses, and to upgrade and develop methodology as well as theoretical models. In their research, the project members (consisting of linguists, ethnologists, sociologists, and education scientists) follow current trends in research in the field of ethnic studies that endorse interdisciplinary approaches suited to the complexity of studied phenomena. The findings will bring about new insights to each of the scientific disciplines involved, such as sociology, linguistics, and ethnology. Such research is an indispensable foundation for applicative and goal-oriented research, advisory work and scientific efforts, as well as for the development of education programs.
Significance for the country
The results of the project will greatly enhance the awareness of parents and the leading members in the Slovenian minority organizations on the significance of bi- and multilingualism, with emphasis on the significance and the construction of prestige for Slovene in the minority regions in the neighboring countries. The status of a language is closely linked to the economic status of its speakers, and with the economic status of visible minority representatives. Economic and other players will be able to use Slovene in such a way as to add value to products and services, and to differentiate themselves on the market, not only in the local environment, but also in broader (regional, cross-border) contexts.
The project is of vital significance for preserving the Slovenian bi- and multilingual area in the minority regions (the Province of Udine, the Raba Valley, and the Međimurje and Varaždin counties) as a linguistically dynamic space, where Slovene, Hungarian, Italian, and Croatian cohabitate, as well as for preserving the cultural heritage of the Slovenian minority and improving the status of Slovene in these regions.
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2016,
final report
