Languages of Slovenia

Languages of
country = Slovenia

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image size = 250px
caption = Most spoken languages in Slovenia (Census 2002)
official = Slovene
unofficial =
main =
regional = "Official"

Hungarian, Italian
indigenous =
immigrant =
foreign = English, German
sign =
keyboard = ex-Yugoslavia QWERTZ
keyboard
The official and national language of the Republic of Slovenia is Slovene, which is spoken by a large majority of the population. It is also known, in English, as Slovenian. Two minority languages, namely Hungarian and Italian, are recognised as co-official languages and accordingly protected in their residential municipalities. Other languages, spoken primarily by the immigrants, include mainly other South Slavic languages. The most often taught foreign languages are English and German.

lovene

The Constitution of Slovenia in Article 11 stipulates Slovene to be the sole official and national language throughout the country. The [http://www.uradni-list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200486&stevilka=3841 Public Use of the Slovene Language Act of 2004] further defines the legal status of Slovene, by mandating that national and local authorities are compelled to use it in communication and legislation. As a national language, it is used on the obverse side of Slovenian euro coins, in the Slovenian national anthem, by The Slovenian President, and uniquely represents Slovene culture on the international stage.

Television and radio broadcasts, newspapers, commercials, user manuals, and other printed or broadcast material must be in Slovene. Usage of material in another language is permitted, if it is accordingly subtitled, dubbed or translated. Publishing or broadcasting untranslated material, as well as selling goods without instructions and declaration in Slovene, is punishable and banned by law. Also, names of corporations and trademarks registered in Slovenia must be in Slovene; however, they may be used along with the translated name in another language if it's aimed at foreign markets.

Slovene is the language of instruction at all levels of schooling, from primary to tertiary education. There is an international high school in Ljubljana with English as the language of instruction, but it admits only students from foreign diplomats and Slovenes who had been schooled abroad for several years. Undergraduate courses are run in Slovene, therefore applicants from foreign countries must prove an adequate level of knowledge of Slovene to be eligible to enroll. Graduate courses for foreign exchange students are offered in English, as well.

[http://www.centerslo.net/index.asp?LANG=eng Centre for Slovene as a second/foreign language] encourages the learning of Slovene as foreign language, offers different courses of Slovene, and grants certificates of language proficiency. Currently, the following courses are offered: Summer, One-Year, and Winter School of Slovene. Regardless of having participated in any of organised courses of Slovene, one may sit for the Slovene Language Exam at three levels: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. After having passed the exam, the applicant receives the certificate of knowledge of the Slovene language, issued by the Faculty of Arts of University of Ljubljana, which is valid throughout the European Union, and is eligible to apply for any school or university in Slovenia.

With the accession of Slovenia to the European Union on May 1, 2004, Slovene became an official language of the European Union, requiring that all Acts and Directives be translated into Slovene. Additionally, Slovenian citizens may write to any EU institution in Slovene and expect the response in the same language.

Italian

Italian is officially recognised as the mother tongue of the protected Italian minority and co-official language in Slovenian Istria near the Slovenian-Italian border and at the Slovenian coastline. Public usage of Italian is permitted and protected by minority protection laws. Members of the Italian minority are entitled to primary and secondary education in their native language, as well as to radio and television programmes in Italian, and to communicating in Italian with the authorities.

Hungarian

Hungarian is officially recognised as the mother tongue of protected Hungarian minority in Prekmurje region near the Slovenian-Hungarian border. Public usage of Hungarian is permitted and protected by minority protection laws. Members of Hungarian minority are entitled to primary and secondary education in their native language, as well to radio and occasional television broadcast in Hungarian, and to communicating in Hungarian with the authorities.

Languages of immigrants

Due to a short and bloodless secession from Yugoslavia and a quick transition from socialism to blooming market economy, many people sought refuge in Slovenia during Yugoslav wars in Croatia and Bosnia. As a consequence, the vast majority of immigrants speak Croatian, Bosnian, or Serbian. Other languages, spoken by immigrants, include: Romani, Macedonian, and Albanian. None of those languages have been granted any legal status, although many Slovenians understand Croatian, Bosnian, or Serbian well enough to hold a casual conversation.

Foreign languages

Historically, German was the "lingua franca" of Central European space and was perceived as the language of commerce, science and literature in Slovenia. Consequently, German used to be the first foreign language taught in schools. With the formation of Yugoslavia, Serbo-Croatian became the language of federal authorities and the first foreign language taught in school.

Nowadays, English has superseded it and is taught as the first foreign language throughout the country from the age of nine. German has retained its strong position however as an important language and is the most common second foreign language in high schools. Other second foreign languages are Italian, Spanish, French, and Hungarian. Among the five subjects at the Slovenian Matura, one foreign language, mostly English, is compulsory.

As the consequence of different foreign languages taught in different times, there is no prevailing foreign language knowledge in Slovenia. Younger generations know English well enough to communicate without difficulties, whereas elder generations speak Serbo-Croatian better. There are also regional differences, especially among the knowledge of second foreign language, with German being more frequently taught and used in Styria region, whereas Western part of Slovenia near Italian border favours Italian.

References

* [http://www.stat.si/popis2002/en/ Population of Slovenia Census 2002 results]
* [http://zakonodaja.gov.si/rpsi/r01/predpis_USTA1.html Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia]
* [http://www.uradni-list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200486&stevilka=3841 Public Use of the Slovene Language Act of 2004]
* [http://zakonodaja.gov.si/rpsi/r04/predpis_ZAKO2064.html Matura Examination Act of 2003]