Projects / Programmes
Creating the Image of Neighborhood: Austria, Slovenia and discourses on Southeastern Europe
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.05.02 |
Humanities |
Linguistics |
Theoretical and applied linguistics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H360 |
Humanities |
Applied linguistics, foreign languages teaching, sociolinguistics |
Austria, Slovenia, discursive construction of neigbourhood, Southeastern Europe, central Europe
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
27738 |
PhD Tanja Petrović |
Anthropology |
Head |
2007 - 2008 |
549 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The research concentrates upon the evolution of Austrian publicly construed images of Southeastern Europe and particular Southeastern European nations in the period from the end of the Second World War up to the date, through the analysis of public discourses found in printed media (daily newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines, etc.) and scientific discourse. The focal point of the research would be the ways in which the region of Southeastern Europe is presented as a whole, and in which aspects differences among particular nations are made, especially in the important points and periods, such as the Cold War period, the emergence of a large number of guest workers from the region in Austria, the end of socialism in the Balkan states, the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the following wars, joining the European Union by Slovenia and prospective enlargement of European Union to Bulgaria and Romania, as well as the EU-enlargement related negotiations of other Southeastern European states.
When the Austrian society and its publicly articulated views on Southeastern Europe are concerned, one can expect somewhat different attitude in comparison with other Western European countries and a kind of an "insider's" knowledge about the region of Southeastern Europe. Reasons for that are manifold: the fact Austria is the most immediate Western neighbor for this region, the imperial legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, long lasting immigration flaws from Southeastern Europe countries to Austria, etc.
The special emphasis in the research will be given to the image of Austria’s immediate neighbor, Slovenia, created in these public discourses. Apart from the immediate neighborhood, there are additional reasons for detailed analysis: shared historical legacy of the Habsburg empire; Slovenian successful transition and integration into EU, as well as intermediate position of Slovenia between Central and Southeastern Europe.
The research aims to explore discursive mechanisms of essentialization vs. differentiation, making stereotypes as well as dynamics of transformation of narrative frames that followed important political and social changes in the region of Southeastern Europe.
Significance for science
Project's character is interdisciplinary - it reaches for theoretical concepts from linguistics, history, anthropology and media studies. The project is a contribution to two important academic fields in humanities - Balkan studies, which developes intensively in last two decades through critique and scrutinization of existing discourses on the Balkans, and European studies, which are characterized by accumulation of academic studies trying to provide answers to questions about history, nature and uses of idea of Europe and European identity.
Significance for the country
Since the project deals with contemporary discourses emerging in the process of the EU accession of the Balkan countries, it is of particular importance for both researcher in humanities and wider public in Slovenia, particularly for those working in the field of politics, culture and international relations.
The project sheds a critical light and scrutinizes contemporary political and media dicourses in Slovenia. Because of that, it may contribute to a better political and media cultures in Slovenia and rise awareness of necessity of relective approach to existing practices.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
