The Position of the Slovenes in Austria: Recent Developments in Political (and Other) Attitudes

In: Nationalities papers: the journal of nationalism and ethnicity, Band 27, Heft 1, S. 103-114

Abstract

Considers attitudes toward the Slovenes in Austria after the postcommunist transition, drawing on a survey of 54 Carthinians & information from the press. Traditionally, Germanophones have expressed intensive xenophobia toward Slovenes. However, it is found that the current Germanophone population is more disposed toward Slovenes than at any time in the past. This new feeling for Slovenes has developed alongside a trend in which Slovenes themselves are speaking their native dialects much less than in the past. This finding is taken to indicate a great danger to the Slovenian population, as it threatens to cut off this population from the newly created state of Slovenia. It is concluded that perhaps the good feeling of Germanophones toward Slovenes may create a space in which this minority may survive for several generations as more than a museum culture. 19 References. D. Ryfe