Sodobni Pogledi Na Ogroženost Slovenščine

Abstract

This article reviews the 1993–94 debates on Slovene language in public use. The debates can be divided into three groups. The représentatives of the first one believe that the Slovene language is endangered – although it is, for the first time in its history, the language of an independent state – and it must be protected by the law. Efforts to preserve a language from pollution and foreign influence may be considered purist. Such a radical stance may, in a way, even impede the development of language. At the same time, this position gives rise to a contrary view. Particularly a number of younger scholars believe we can talk or write as we want, and that all the debates about an endangered language are nonsense. This extreme could, however, lead to a chaotic linguistic situation.The third group of participants in the 1993–94 discussions is the largest. They do not consider the Slovene language to be endangered, but rather criticise our linguistic culture as underdeveloped or inappropriate. Indeed, it would be difficult to sustain the belief that the Slovene language is endangered, because it is a language with a literary tradition of more than 440 years. It has been used in all spheres of public and private life since the end of the 19th Century. All of our feelings, thoughts and work can be expressed in it. However, our linguistic culture must be cultivated. Language users should be aware that linguistic culture is a part of general culture, and since it is the only tool of an effective human communication, it cannot avoid systematic régulation. This problem must be first of all solved through éducation. To cultivate the linguistic culture, better language teaching programmes and courses are needed, more intensive linguistic research, and a general support to related intellectual enquiry.