Slovenski jezik in jezikovna politika kot družboslovni izziv : kontekst, udeleženci in vrednote: spoznavni in akcijski vidiki

slovenian

2006

volume 43, issue 5/6

Slovenian language    Language policy    Threatening    National identity    Sociolinguistics    Globalisation    globalization    Slovene 

Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za družbene vede

In spite of the frequent declarations on the importance of (preserving) Slovene language, the actual life-practice goes on in its own way. The discussions on how the language is being threatened are fragmentary or vague. The research is spatially, temporally, disciplinary, institutionally and epistemologically bounded. Author finds particularly challenging the unchallenged acceptance of simultaneous existence of onesided treatment of language - a) from the point of view of its instrumentality (practical use) and b) from the point of view of its role as a symbol of national identity. Idiosyncratically oriented linguistics (in the narrower sense) is leaving aside broader socio-developmental context and the changing role and broadening circle of actors (users, creators, stakeholders) and their value orientations. The absence of theoretical and empirical findings of social sciences (especially of sociology of language) prevented the formulation of consistent language policy in agreement with other policies. With their contributions this policy can overcome its conservatory role and become a component part of more broadly conceived developmental programs. Opening to the world for language does not imply only potential loss but also possible new gain. Several proposals on how to move "from the words to the deeds" are presented.

21.11.2011