Slovenian Language
Slovenian is the national language of the Republic of Slovenia and Slovenian minorities in Austria, Italy and Hungary. One of the family of Slavic languages, it is closest to Croatian and Serbian. Slovenian immigrant groups in USA, Canada, South America and Australia also speak it. The population of Slovenia is two million. There are 500,000 Slovenians living beyond Slovenian borders.
In common with all Slavic languages, Slovenian has developed from the Old Slavic that has been retained in the liturgy of Slavic churches, similarly to Latin in the Catholic Church of Western Europe.
The first documents in Slovenian - Brizinski Spomeniki (The Freising Manuscripts) - the first written texts in any Slavic language - were written in the 9th century. While possessing a rich oral tradition of tales, songs and legends, Slovenian people first achieved literacy with the Reformation. The complete Bible in Slovenian language was published in 1583, amongst the first ten languages of Europe.
Slovenian literature reached its first peak at the beginning of the 19th century in the extraordinary work of the poet France Preseren. He introduced major poetic forms and concepts into Slovenian literature; thus establishing Slovenian literature in the European cultural landscape. Since that time Slovenian literature has flourished, and continues to be a major expression of cultural identity and national consciousness. Slovenian writers and poets have achieved international acclaim and have been translated into many languages - among them are contemporary authors - Ales Debeljak, Andrej Blatnik, Evald Flisar, Tomaz Salamun, and Drago Jancar.
Slovenians have a long tradition of high quality book publishing and translating literary and other significant works into Slovenian.
Slovenia has two universities, Ljubljana and Maribor, both catering
to foreign students. They also offer a number of well-attended Slovenian
language courses.
The knowledge of Slovenian language provides: access to all Slavic languages,
is of benefit for use in commerce, travel or further studies.
About Slovenia
Slovenia is a country of great geographic diversity as it lies at the junction of four zones: Alpine, Pannonian, Dinaric, and Mediterranean. It borders Austria in the north, Hungary and Croatia to the east and southeast, the Adriatic Sea to the south and Italy to the west. It lies at the crossroads of Europe, an area of 20,000 sq kms.
The Republic of Slovenia was declared an independent state on 21 June 1991.The Slovenian nations has a remarkable history covering two millennia. Slovenia – under its ancient name of Caranthania - was the first democracy of Europe. The investiture ceremony of the Dukes of Caranthania was so extraordinary that it became a model for political theorists.
This Slovenian state, referred to by contemporary historians of 6th
century AD, was regarded as a model in the development of western democracy.
Thomas Jefferson referred to Caranthania for the Declaration of Independence
of 1776. This unique ceremony for the investiture of the elected leader
was conducted in the Slovenian language until 1728.
Slovenia was incorporated in a feudal state after 745 AD and was part
of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. In 1918 Slovenia became part
of the Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, later renamed Yugoslavia.
After World War 2 it formed a part of the Socialist Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia till 1991as its northern republic.
Today the Republic of Slovenia is a dynamic modern state of 2 million
people.Slovenia is reknown for its rich cultural life and many annual
international festivals in music and in the performing arts. There is
the annual international writers’ festival Vilenica. Slovenia has a
long history, in part reflected in the architecture of towns - a blend
of late gothic, baroque and modern, with fortifications and historical
places dating to Roman times.
Slovenian people have made notable contribution to the world of arts and sciences – to mention a few: Jurij Vega, Jozef Stefan, Herman Potocnik, and Frederic Pregl. In the 20th century, Joze Plecnik, a leading architect of the Vienna school, dedicated his genius to making Ljubljana a worthy capital of Slovenia. With many stunning buildings and unique features, this outstanding post-modernist architect of our time, has made Ljubljana into an “urban planning phenomenon”.
To the visitor Slovenia offers a spectacular range of natural wonders: the largest cave systems in the world, scenic waterfalls, intermittent lakes and rivers, beautiful lakes and mountains. There is a wide range of sports and leisure activities: fishing, canoeing, trekking, gliding and mountain climbing. In winter the whole country takes to the ski slopes and there are exciting international skiing and ski flying competitions. A famous annual event is the ceremonial grape picking of the 400-year-old vine of Maribor, the oldest vine in Europe.
Slovenia offers a great deal to interest the visitor, and much to explore.
Slovenian Community in Australia
The Slovenian population of Australia has been estimated to total about 25,000. It is widely dispersed in all the states of Australia, with largest groups residing in Melbourne and Sydney. This excludes the second generation of Australians whose parents are of Slovenian origin. There are now twenty-five Slovenian organisations in Australia.
The major wave of migration to Australia occurred around 1950. The Slovenian community soon established social organisations. These were a place for social, community and cultural activities. In Melbourne, the first Slovenian club, Melbourne, was formed in 1954. In the following years other associations were established in various parts of Melbourne and Geelong, providing social, recreational and school facilities: Jadran, Ivan Cankar, Planica, Sneznik, Veseli Lovci. In time they formed The Council of Slovenian Organisations of Victoria, which is a coordinating body. The Slovenian National Council of Victoria was formed to represent the Slovenian community and promote Slovenian cultural activities and programmes.
The associations hold a host of cultural, sporting and social functions throughout the year and contribute to the awareness of Slovenian cultural heritage. The associations organize cultural events with: art and craft displays, performances in music, drama, dancing, by the local and wider community, and guest performers from Slovenia and other countries.
The Slovenian Franciscan order has established churches in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide and has played a vital role in the religious and cultural life of the Slovenian community. The Slovenian Religious and Cultural Centre in Kew, SS. Cyril and Methodius Mission, was founded in 1960 as the first of Slovenian Religious and Cultural Centres in Australia. The centre is a complex of: the Church of SS. Cyriland Methodius, Baraga House, Baraga Library, the Mother Romana Hostel for the Aged, and Slomsek Primary School. Cultural events and concerts for the community are held in the church hall.
The community voice is heard in the media and printed press. In Melbourne the Slovenian programme is broadcast on SBS radio and 3ZZZ weekly. Since 1975, Slovenian has been broadcast on the radio, and is heard in all capital cities of Australia. On Channel 31 television, “Slovenian Magazine” is presented every fortnight; sponsored by the Slovenian National Council of Victoria, and donations. In Melbourne the Slovenian Franciscan Fathers issue the monthly journal “Misli -Thoughts” established in 1952. It is a religious and cultural magazine in Slovenian, with articles and detailed information about community activities and events. It is distributed throughout Australia and overseas.
Throughout Australia there have been over a time twelve Slovenian newspapers in circulation and over one hundred Slovenian books and periodicals published in Australia.
Slovenian Language in Australia
Slovenian language has been taught in Australia for the last 30 years everywhere where Slovenian immigrants gathered for social, cultural or religious purposes at Slovenian centres and organizations. Children were taught basic Slovenian in combination with cultural activities and participation in annual festivities such as St. Nicholas Day, Christmas, Easter, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day, in which children took a major role in the performance of: plays, songs and folk-dances. These cultural events established a strong tradition, which still continues today.
In 1976 the first steps were taken to establish Slovenian as an elective subject in the Australian state school system. In 1977 six classes of Slovenian were offered at the secondary - level junior and senior - at three centres of the government school, Victorian School of Languages. This was the first time that Slovenian was an accredited systemic school subject anywhere outside the Slovenian-speaking territories of central Europe. Higher School Certificate (VCE in Victoria) was also established by 1980 and continues to be offered.
The school still offers Slovenian at the Princes Hill Secondary College Centre, in Melbourne.
For information contact:
The Institute for Slovenian Language of Victoria,
tel: 03 9544 0595
In 1979 The Saturday School of Community Languages in Sydney, New South Wales also opened classes at secondary levels and established Higher School Certificate accreditation for Slovenian language in NSW.
Slovenian is now taught at the Bankstown Girls’ High School.
For information contact:
The Saturday School of Community Languages,
tel: 02 9644 5638
Macquarie University in Sydney offered a Slovenian tertiary 3 year course from 1989 to 1996. It was also offered as a long distance education course.
Courses, Grants and Scholarships
In Slovenia
There are a number of courses available for the study of Slovenian. The majority are in Ljubljana. The Centre for Slovenian as a Second/Foreign Language at the Faculty of Arts, Ljubljana University offers one-year and half-year, as well as short summer and winter courses of Slovenian, afternoon courses and personal tuition.
The Ministry for Education, Science and Sport and the University of Ljubljana provide scholarships to enrol in Slovenian secondary schools and university courses. Scholarships are also available for the descendants of Slovenian emigrants who are not citizens of Slovenia.
For more information on costs, availability of scholarships and other details, view the web site.
There is also an attractive summer course in Koper. For up-to-date and detailed information on courses and available scholarships, view the web site of Znanstveno in raziskovalno sredisce republike Slovenije, Koper.
In USA and Europe
There are a number of university courses and programs in USA and in
Europe outside Slovenia, focusing on linguistic and literature studies
and commonly offered as a study option. For more information view the
website.
Annual grants are available from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Slovenia, Office for Slovenes Abroad. Information is available from
the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs or the Australian Embassy
of Slovenia.
Business and Employment
Knowledge of languages is well recognised as valuable on the path of one’s career and life’s journey.
The knowledge of Slovenian offers the many benefits of language learning. As well as building practical skills, another language fosters the development of the intellect and encourages more critical thinking. Other values of language learning include: developing a sense of one’s own cultural context, learning about other people and their values, exposes the learner to a different mode of thought.
The skills one gains are an important contribution to a student’s overall development as a person in the workforce. We live in a multicultural nation and a global community. The skills of communication, heightened awareness and broader outlook enhance job prospects. Some fields of study are: retail, marketing, hospitality, banking, customer relations, publishing, translating, advertising, telecommunications. international trade.
Of particular interest are more recent business links between Slovenia and Australia.
Impact International, was started in 1959 by Dusan Lajovic, originally from Slovenia. It is Australia’s leading laminate and plastic tube-maker. Apart from Sydney, where its head office is located, Impact International also has production plants in Melbourne, in New Zealand, in Indonesia and Malaysia. There is also a plant producing aluminium tubes, aerosol cans, plastic and laminate tubes in Slovenia.
Another industry giant is the retail company Harvey Norman. The company sells home, office computer and communication wares. It has stores throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore and plans to expand throughout Asia. The company has recently opened a store in the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana.
Links between Australia and Slovenia
There is considerable exchange between Slovenia and Australia, although Slovenia has not been quite discovered by the tourist population. As a small immigrant group they have established themselves well in Australia. Active in ethnic councils, radio and cultural events, they have made their presence felt. Slovenian artists, such as the expressionist painter Stanislav Rapotec and sculptor Ron Gomboc have made their mark in Australian society. There have been at least two federal parliamentarians and several recipients of the Order of Australia honours.
Over the years there have been many links between Australia and Slovenia. Slovenian imports number Sloveniales, Elan, Gorenje, Delamaris, and Kolinska. Slovenian scientists have been invited to lecture at Australian universities and Australian artists, poets, singers and bands have performed at festivals in all the major Australian cities.
There have been a number of art exhibitions, notably the Contemporary Slovenian Graphic Design in Sydney and Shakespeare in theatres of central Europe between the two wars 1918-1938 at Multicultural Festival in Canberra.
The work of artist Matej Andraz Vogrincic was one of the high points of the Adelaide Festival; similarly the much translated Slovenian poet Tomaz Salamun at a previous festival. The conceptual artist Marko Peljhan has performed in a multinational production in 2000. Successful Slovenian electronic music producing team Recycled Loops featuring Dj Umek and Dj Valentino Kanzyani has toured major Australian cities for 2 times, drawing large audiences and winning public acclaim.
In 2001 the Australian retailing giant Harvey Norman established a major base in Slovenia to serve as foundation for his plans to expand into central and eastern Europe.
