A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF SERBIAN AS A HERITAGE LANGUAGE (SOCIOLINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVES ON THE LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE OF THE SERBIAN DIASPORA FROM THE BANJA LUKA REGION IN SLOVENIA)

Abstract

This paper defines sociolinguistic perspectives on heritage language research, aiming to integrate and improve existing knowledge in Serbian studies. It highlights three analytical areas: the sociolinguistic context of the country where the Serbian diaspora resides, key models and assumptions of language maintenance, and language policy activities that may strengthen the status of Serbian as a heritage language. One major research area for examining relations between majority and minority languages is language maintenance, understood as the continued use of a minority language across multiple domains in order to sustain heritage language use and prevent a shift to the dominant language. The central part of the paper analyses the linguistic competence of first-generation diaspora children from the Banja Luka region living in Slovenia and their attitudes toward their homeland. The results show that, even after a short time in Slovenia, Slovenian already affects their Serbian, mostly at the orthographic level. Earlier studies also suggest that later generations will use the dominant language in most areas of life, while Serbian will mainly remain in the family. Taken together with broader sociolinguistic context in Slovenia, these trends raise concerns about long-term language maintenance. The paper also discusses the international standards related to Serbian language use in Slovenia. The 2025 Report of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (covering developments up to 2024) states that Slovenia has not met its obligations regarding bilingual education for Serbian speakers. In the conclusion, based on the status of the Serbian community in Slovenia and the survey findings, the paper evaluates the position of Serbian and recommends a more systematic and planned heritage language policy, supported by institutions in both Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, especially in light of increasing emigration.