Slovene

A language of Slovenia

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Slovenian

Autonym

Slovenski jezik, Slovenščina

Population

1,995,000 in Slovenia, all users. L1 users: 1,920,000 (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 75,000 (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 2,221,060 (as L1: 2,037,060; as L2: 184,000).

Location

Widespread.

Language Maps

Austria

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 11).

Classification

Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western

Dialects

Lower Carniola, Upper Carniola, Stajerski, Primorski, Prekmurski. The literary dialect between the 2 main dialects is based on Dolenjsko. Dialects diverse.

Typology

SVO; prepositions; noun head final; gender (masculine/feminine/neuter); dual number; no articles; case-marking (6 cases); verb affixes mark number, person; passives; tense and aspect; comparatives; 21 consonants, 8 vowels, 2 diphthongs; tonal (in some dialects); free stress.

Language Use

Many also use Croatian [hrv] (European Commission 2006), English [eng] (European Commission 2006), Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006).

Language Development

Fully developed. Bible: 1584–1996.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Slovene

Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

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Austria

Language nameSlovene

Population Full

24,900 (2003 UNSD).

Location

Carinthia and Styria states.

Alternate Names

Slovenščina, Slovenian, “Windisch” (pej.)

Status

5 (Dispersed). Statutory language of provincial identity in South Carinthia (1955, Treaty of Vienna).

Language Use

Some speak standard Slovene well; some use it only in church. Also use Standard German [deu].

Other Comments

Most do not consider themselves Slovenians, but Carinthians, belonging to the German culture. Separated by the Karawanken Mountains from the larger group of Slovenes in Slovenia. Formerly called “Windisch” pejoratively, an archaic form of Slovene, heavily influenced by German. Some use dialects, but others losing dialect knowledge. Many hear standard Slovene in church.

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Croatia

Language nameSlovene

Population Full

9,220 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 10,500 (2011 census).

Location

Istria and Primorje-Gorski Kotar counties: scattered; urban areas of Rijeka and Zagreb.

Alternate Names

Slovenščina, Slovenian, Slovenski jezik

Status

5 (Dispersed). Recognized language (2002, Constitutional Law on the Rights of Minorities, Article 15).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Hungary

Language nameSlovene

Population Full

1,720 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 2,390 (2011 census).

Location

Zala county; near Slovenia border.

Alternate Names

Slovenščina, Slovenian

Dialects

Prekmurski.

Status

4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII).

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

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Italy

Language nameSlovene

Population Full

133,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 24,000 (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 109,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Friuli-Venezia Giulia region: Gorizia, Trieste, and Udine provinces, north and south along Slovenia border.

Alternate Names

Slovenščina, Slovenian

Dialects

Primorski, Cividale, Resia.

Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Trieste and Gorizia provinces (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482).

Language Use

Also use Friulian [fur].

Language Development

Slovene schools.

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Ethnologue

Slovene

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A language of Slovenia

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