Theoretical Assumptions and Methodological Frames for a User-friendly Web Platform: the SMeJse Project (SMiLe – Slovenian as a Minority Language)

Abstract

This paper aims to present some theoretical and methodological issues related to the online portal SLOVENŠČINA KOT MANJŠINSKI JEZIK – SMeJse / SLOVENIAN AS A MINORITY LANGUAGE – SMiLe where existent tools, materials and information for the development of linguistic skills and abilities in Slovenian are collected. The platform was established by SLORI – Slovenski raziskovalni inštitut / Slovenian research institute of Trieste, Italy, and the Dijaški dom S. Kosovela / Slovenian student’s center of Trieste, Italy. The purpose of the portal is to stimulate different usages of the current Slovenian language in the Slovenian-Italian contact area, particularly in Italy, with the aim of assuring high communication proficiency in all kinds and varieties of the Slovenian language (the so called “equilingualism”), a balanced bilingualism and also the development of lects, still within the Slovenian linguistic continuum.

Specific language policies are particularly successful for the development of linguistic skills which enable proficiency in the minority language, as well as equilingualism and balanced bilingualism among the speakers of the minority group. Such policies are based on the implementation of measures for an increased exposure to different language uses and on the creation of the need of language use in circles and situations where compensatory strategies are unsuitable. The portal is based on the newest linguistic, sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic studies concerning the Slovenian language in Italy, on the Slovenian-Italian language contact and on the acquisition of the minority language. An analysis of the status of the Slovenian language in Italy, its perception and its phenomena, as well as the overview of some language policies and methodological frames, has shown a gap between the existent tools and the needs of the community of speakers.