| Languages of Slovenia | |
|---|---|
 Most spoken languages in Slovenia (Census 2002) |
|
| Official language(s) | Slovene |
| Regional language(s) | Official Hungarian, Italian |
| Main foreign language(s) | English, German |
| Common keyboard layout(s) |
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The official and national language of the Republic of Slovenia is Slovene, which is spoken by a large majority of the population. It is also known, in English, as Slovenian. Two minority languages, namely Hungarian and Italian, are recognised as co-official languages and accordingly protected in their residential municipalities. Other languages, spoken primarily by the immigrants, include mainly other South Slavic languages. The most often taught foreign languages are English, German, Serbo-Croatian and Italian.
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The Constitution of Slovenia in Article 11 stipulates Slovene to be the sole official and national language throughout the country. The Public Use of the Slovene Language Act of 2004 further defines the legal status of Slovene, by mandating that national and local authorities are compelled to use it in communication and legislation. As a national language, it is used on the obverse side of Slovenian euro coins, in the Slovenian national anthem, by The Slovenian President, and uniquely represents Slovene culture on the international stage.
Television and radio broadcasts, newspapers, commercials, user manuals, and other printed or broadcast material must be in Slovene. Usage of material in another language is permitted, if it is accordingly subtitled, dubbed or translated. Publishing or broadcasting untranslated material, as well as selling goods without instructions and declaration in Slovene, is punishable and banned by law. Also, names of corporations and trademarks registered in Slovenia must be in Slovene; however, they may be used along with the translated name in another language if its aimed at foreign markets.
Slovene is the language of instruction at all levels of schooling, from primary to tertiary education. There is an international high school in Ljubljana with English as the language of instruction, but it admits only students from foreign diplomats and Slovenes who had been schooled abroad for several years. Undergraduate courses are run in Slovene, therefore applicants from foreign countries must prove an adequate level of knowledge of Slovene to be eligible to enroll. Graduate courses for foreign exchange students are offered in English, as well.
Centre for Slovene as a second/foreign language encourages the learning of Slovene as foreign language, offers different courses of Slovene, and grants certificates of language proficiency. Currently, the following courses are offered: Summer, One-Year, and Winter School of Slovene. Regardless of having participated in any of organised courses of Slovene, one may sit for the Slovene Language Exam at three levels: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. After having passed the exam, the applicant receives the certificate of knowledge of the Slovene language, issued by the Faculty of Arts of University of Ljubljana, which is valid throughout the European Union, and is eligible to apply for any school or university in Slovenia.
With the accession of Slovenia to the European Union on May 1, 2004, Slovene became an official language of the European Union, requiring that all Acts and Directives be translated into Slovene. Additionally, Slovenian citizens may write to any EU institution in Slovene and expect the response in the same language.
Italian is officially recognised as the mother tongue of the protected Italian minority and co-official language in Slovenian Istria near the Slovenian-Italian border and at the Slovenian coastline. Public usage of Italian is permitted and protected by minority protection laws. Members of the Italian minority are entitled to primary and secondary education in their native language, as well as to radio and television programmes in Italian, and to communicating in Italian with the authorities.
Hungarian is officially recognised as the mother tongue of protected Hungarian minority in Prekmurje region near the Slovenian-Hungarian border. Public usage of Hungarian is permitted and protected by minority protection laws. Members of Hungarian minority are entitled to primary and secondary education in their native language, as well to radio and occasional television broadcast in Hungarian, and to communicating in Hungarian with the authorities.
Officially unrecognized regional language. The disciples of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages apply to the prekmurian. The prekmurian language possess to standard literary language and between the 16th century and 1908 was the language of the eduaction. In the communistic Yugoslavia was not tolerated this regional language, so for example: the kajkavian-croatian dialect likewise suffer from enslavement. In leftist's opinion, such as the prekmurian born Miško Kranjec the regional languages and dialects the obstructives of the advance. In effect the spokesman of the prekmurian language was catholic and evangelic priests, for example Miklós Küzmics, József Klekl the Old, or József Szakovics, those who was enemys of the communism.
Due to a short and bloodless secession from Yugoslavia and a quick transition from socialism to blooming market economy, many people sought refuge in Slovenia during Yugoslav wars in Croatia and Bosnia. As a consequence, the vast majority of immigrants speak Serbo-Croatian. Other languages, spoken by immigrants, include: Romani, Macedonian, and Albanian. None of those languages have been granted any legal status.
Historically, German was the lingua franca of Central European space and was perceived as the language of commerce, science and literature in Slovenia. Consequently, German used to be the first foreign language taught in schools. With the formation of Yugoslavia, Serbo-Croatian became the language of federal authorities and the first foreign language taught in school.
Nowadays, English has superseded it and is taught as the first foreign language throughout the country from the age of nine. German has retained its strong position however as an important language and is the most common second foreign language in high schools. Other second foreign languages are Italian, Spanish, French and Hungarian. Among the five subjects at the Slovenian Matura, one foreign language, mostly English, is compulsory.
As the consequence of different foreign languages taught in different times, there is no prevailing foreign language knowledge in Slovenia. Younger generations know English and Serbo-Croatian well enough to communicate without difficulties, whereas elder generations speak Serbo-Croatian better. There are also regional differences, especially among the knowledge of second foreign language, with German being more frequently taught and used in Styria region, whereas the Littoral region favours Italian.
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   | Matura Examination Act of 2003 - Zakon o maturi (ZMat) |
| | Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia - Ustava Republike Slovenije |
| | Public Use of the Slovene Language Act of 2004 - Uradni list Republike Slovenije |
| | Population of Slovenia Census 2002 results - Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia - Census 2002 |
| | Centre for Slovene as a second/foreign language - Centre for Slovene |
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