Suchergebnisse

A study of how cultural consciousness, including feelings of nationalism, are linked to the choice of Slovene & German languages in southern Carinthia, Austria, based on an examination of a variety of situations where different kinds of linguistic behavior occurred, distinguishing first between automatic & deliberate choice of language preference & secondly between political & nonpolitical motives. Frequent switches from one language to another in the same situation are described. Numerous situations are depicted in which the use of Slovene, dialectical Slovene, or German are variously used, motivated at times by political & at times by ethnic factors. A close relationship between "Sloveneness" & religion seems apparent, but a practical aspect may also exist. The ethnic consciousness of the individual Slovene is based on two closely bound foundations: the home & the church. Where both foundations are present, they reinforce each other. Where one is weak or nonexistent, the other is threatened. Most language choices in Carinthia, however, are clearly determined by political considerations. A few are not, particularly when religion is involved. The relevance of analysis of linguistic usage to the understanding of sociopolitical behavior is noted. 1 Figure. P. Grootman