Treatises and Documents, Journal of Ethnic Studies / Razprave in Gradivo, Revija za narodnostna vprašanja Feed

The Participation Paradox: Immigrants’ Civic and Political Engagement and Majority Attitudes in Slovenia

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This article examines the participation paradox in Slovenia through three dimensions: the legal-political framework, immigrants’ civic and political participation, and majority attitudes. While civic rights are guaranteed to all residents, political rights remain stratified by citizenship and residence status, with full participation tied to naturalization. Survey results (N = 1,303) show that immigrants without Slovenian citizenship report lower civic membership and political participation than Slovenian citizens, even when eligible, while naturalized immigrants display higher engagement. Majority respondents accept immigrants’ civic involvement but oppose their electoral rights. The participation paradox thus stems from institutional restrictions, behavioural differences, and public scepticism.

Slovenes and Italians Living in the Karst Area of Italy: Stories, Conflicts, Ignorance and Perceptions

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The paper presents the research conducted within the project Ethnography of Silence(s), focusing on the Slovene/Yugoslav-Italian border region established after the Second World War. This politically charged period was marked by ideological tensions, state negotiations, and shifting boundaries that deeply affected local communities. The study examines how individuals from Slovene and Italian communities experienced, interpreted, and adapted to these imposed conditions of coexistence and division. Emphasis is placed on lived experiences shaped by migration, deprivation, and contestation. Employing oral history methodology, the research analyses personal narratives, emotions, and memories as key sources of ethnographic insight. By foregrounding silenced or marginalised voices, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how political borders are internalised and negotiated through everyday life.

The Role of Collective Identity and Its Relation to Language in Ethnolinguistic Vitality: A Study of Collateral Language Communities in Poland

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Ethnolinguistic vitality (ELV) studies have long explored the functioning of minority communities, emphasizing the role of language and collective identity as key unifying factors. Since 2021, an ELV study in Poland has focused on collateral language communities – autochthonous groups linked to specific territories, whose languages are closely related to the dominant national language and often misclassified as dialects. These communities are typically unrecognized, and their group distinctiveness is frequently questioned. To assess their internal cohesion, a latent variable – Collective Identity – was developed within the ELV framework. This allows for evaluating whether such communities, often viewed as regional rather than ethnic groups, exhibit shared features and a sense of collective belonging. The findings indicate that collateral language communities form distinctive entities, characterized by shared language and cultural values, thus challenging assumptions about their peripheral or non-ethnic status.

Psychosocial Risks and Protective Factors of Roma and Non-Roma Communities Living in Poverty in Portugal

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Poverty threatens psychosocial health, especially when intersecting with minority identities such as ethnicity. Within the Roma community, discrimination, prejudice, and stigma create particularly adverse environments. This cross-sectional study compares psychosocial health between Roma and non-Roma individuals living in poverty. The sample includes 317 participants (202 non-Roma and 115 Roma), aged 18–71. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were found in psychological distress (non-Roma higher), self-stigma (Roma higher), social support (Roma higher), and resilience (Roma higher). Roma identity predicts lower distress. Discrimination impacts self-stigma, shaped by social prejudice. Higher resilience and social support in Roma communities act as protective factors. These findings highlight the need for public policies that address these populations’ needs and help reduce stigma and discrimination.

Between Return and Permanence: Circular Migration in Southeast Europe

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This article examines migration patterns in Southeast Europe, with a particular focus on circular labour migrants from Bosnia and Herzegovina in Slovenia. Facing labour shortages across both low-skilled and high-skilled sectors, Slovenia has increasingly relied on migrants from the Balkans to fill these gaps. However, the persistent outflow of workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina has had detrimental effects on Bosnia’s economy and society, exacerbating brain drain and demographic shifts. To address these challenges in third countries, the European Union has been promoting a circular migration model over the past three decades. While this model theoretically offers benefits to both countries by reducing brain drain and meeting labour demands, its practical effectiveness remains uncertain. This article analyses the impact of circular migration policy in Slovenia by examining migration statistics and assessing whether circular migration functions as intended in practice.

The Conceptualization of Minorities in the Practice of UN Treaty Bodies – A Case Study from the Alpine-Adriatic-Pannonian Area

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

International law regularly operates with the term minorities and related concepts when recognizing group-specific rights, without setting out definitions of the protected groups. However, while the law itself is largely silent on the issue of conceptualization, the practice of monitoring organs can provide guidance in this regard. Therefore, this paper draws on the doctrinal and comparative legal analysis of the case-law of UN human rights treaty bodies. Specifically, concluding observations are analysed in the context of the Alpine-Adriatic-Pannonian area, including Slovenia and its neighbours as well as other states of the former Yugoslavia. The paper aims to show the emerging consensus within the approaches of the individual treaty bodies and to identify elements of the minority concept which appear systematically in the practice of all treaty bodies in the region under examination, thus contributing to the conceptualization of minorities in the framework of international human rights law.

Identity Construction and Belonging: A Study of Second-Generation Bosnian Immigrants

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The study examines identity formation and the sense of belonging among second-generation Bosnian immigrants in Serbia and Montenegro, children of refugees displaced by the Bosnian War. Despite a shared cultural heritage across the Balkans, these individuals often navigate historical animosities and nationalist tensions in a post-conflict society. A qualitative approach, grounded in Social Identity Theory and based on semi-structured interviews, identified three central themes: rejection of national and ethnic distinctions in favour of a broader Balkan identity, the essential role of family in shaping values, and artistic expression as a means of self-exploration. The findings suggest identity among secondgeneration immigrants is fluid and continuously shaped by personal interactions rather than inherited divisions. These findings contribute to the existing literature by offering insight into how cultural heritage, familial dynamics, and creative expression shaped participants’ identities.

Slovenia and Austria at the Crossroads of Mutual Relations. Slovene-Austrian Relations as Hostage of the Troubled Legacy of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Austria and Slovenia are neighbours and friends, closely linked both geographically and historically. Over time, their peoples have developed various perceptions, stereotypes, and prejudices about each other. The rise of national movements and modern states has significantly shaped national historiographies, which have often drawn on past events in search of foundational ideas for the formation of their respective nation-states. This paper explores how this complex and sometimes troubled legacy has influenced cross-border relations.

A Delicate Balancing Act: Making Decisions for Scottish Gaelic

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Research on language policy and planning (LPP) decision making for Gaelic in Scotland attempted to map out the major preoccupations and identify blindspots held by those overseeing policy construction and implementation. Interviews with elite players in LPP development elicited key qualitative data which was benchmarked against core issues identified in a survey of participants in a putative Scottish Gaelic socioeconomy and social economy. The research uncovered discrepancies between official aspiration and socioeconomic reality, between benefits for individuals and help for communities, or between specific job sectors and the wider economy. More concerning, it becomes apparent that elite players are unclear on language revitalisation goals. While they understand that more needs to be done for the home and community, they lack strategic direction as to how to achieve this.

Successful Multiculturalism in Education: Analysing the Integration of the Jewish Community in Ukraine

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The research aims to analyse how Ukraine effectively implements multicultural principles in education to promote mutual understanding and harmonious coexistence among diverse cultural groups. The methodology involves synthesis as well as cultural, conceptual, and structural analyses, through which the research identifies the key elements contributing to the successful integration of multicultural values. These elements include fostering an educational climate that supports intercultural interaction, drawing on historical experiences to deepen understanding and tolerance, and ensuring educational strategies are tailored to embrace diverse cultural narratives. The findings emphasise the importance of maintaining openness to diversity, which facilitates the creation of an educational realm where every cultural identity is valued and actively engaged. The outcomes underscore the importance of structured teacher training in multicultural competencies, supported by specialised foundations and community centres that provide the necessary resources for these educational frameworks.

Asymmetric Societal Bilingualism in Upper Lusatia: Narratives of Interlingual Upper Sorbian-German Families

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This article explores language practices and policies within interlingual Upper Sorbian-German families in the context of asymmetric societal bilingualism. In Catholic Upper Lusatia, where the intergenerational transmission of Upper Sorbian has been partially maintained, bilingualism remains largely confined to the minority group. While Upper Sorbian speakers also speak German, the dominant society is monolingual in German. Based on in-depth interviews with six interlingual families, supplemented by ethnographic observations, this study explores language attitudes that position German as the socially dominant language, whereas Sorbian is valued primarily within the family. The analysis reveals that although individual bilingualism is fostered within families and seen as a cultural asset, it does not necessarily translate into broader societal bilingualism, as the dominant language is generally perceived as the more appropriate in public life.

Language Dynamics in Society (LanDS): The LanDS Analytical Framework for Majority and Minority-Language Ethnolinguistic Vitality

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Language Dynamics in Society (LanDS) is an analytical framework to reappraise ethnolinguistic vitality (EV) which is key to societal processes affecting the stability of language groups. LanDS proposes an enhanced academic analysis of EV and Language Promotion and Protection. This EV approach addresses the dynamics of how social players participate in the processes which are beneficial or detrimental to EV. LanDS posits four analytical Developmental Quadrants: Language Transmission and Acquisition, Socialisation and Reinforced Acquisition, Civic Expansion, and Coherent Ethnicisation. Each Quadrant is affected by the four core concepts of Direction, Process, Participation, and Competition. Collective community continuity or instability are shaped by the language group’s participation in these key developmental stages.

The Role of Museums and Galleries in the Formation of Cultural Landscapes and Tourism

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This study evaluates cultural landscapes and tourism in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Albania and Ukraine, based on a survey of 443 residents. The cultural landscape ratings are: Astana (4+), Bishkek (2–3), Tirana (4–5), and Kyiv (3.5). Cultural tourism development is rated as follows: Astana (3), Bishkek (3–4), Tirana (4–5), and Kyiv (3). The cultural landscape and tourism are influenced by political power, national identity, economic development, tourist interest, cultural carriers, historical monuments, infrastructure, and investment in culture. The survey also examines preferences, visit frequency, and accessibility of cultural institutions. Kyiv sees the highest visit frequency, while Bishkek has the lowest. Museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, and cultural parks are key destinations, but many respondents report low accessibility and inclusivity. Lists of cultural institutions were created for mapping the cities’ main attractions.

Who Prefers to Stay? Individual and Institutional Factors Supporting Immobility among Minority Hungarian Higher Education Students

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Based on the migration models proposed by J. Carling, de Haas, and K. Schewel, we examine the immobility aspirations of minority and majority Hungarian students in Central Europe. Our aim is to identify individual as well as institutional factors that we hypothesise support students in developing their immobility aspirations. We analyse empirical data collected through a survey in 2019 among students of Hungarian-language higher education institutions in Hungary, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, and Serbia (N = 2,210). The results of multivariate and logistic regression analyses show that the development of immobility aspirations is supported by socio-demographic factors and social networks, as well as by institutional and academic factors, such as training programmes preparing students for local professions, and a greater degree of trust in the higher education institution and role partners.

“In that moment, we felt close, as if the border had been torn down”: Contacts between Milojka Štrukelj Primary School and San Vendemiano, 1960s–1980s

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This article explores the contacts between Milojka Štrukelj Primary School in Nova Gorica and the lower secondary school in San Vendemiano, framing them as a form of regional cooperation between Slovenia and Italy. The partnership began in the 1960s, amidst bloc divisions and an unresolved national border between Italy and Yugoslavia. At the time, the legacies of fascism and the Second World War still deeply resonated on both sides. The article focuses on two key aspects of this collaboration: school holiday camps and the cultural exchange in 1972. Supported by local, regional, and national political institutions, the schools aimed to foster cross-border connections among young people, grounded in mutual respect and the overcoming of prejudice. This ambitious initiative also functioned as a form of cultural diplomacy between the two countries. Drawing on archival documents and press coverage, the article highlights the key features and lasting impact of these contacts, which helped shape the experiences of several generations of Slovene and Italian children.

Anthroponyms in the Kazakh and Turkish Languages: A Historical Review of Their Studies and Structural Features

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This study examines the origin and historical development of anthroponyms in the Kazakh and Turkish languages. Drawing on 21 academic sources, including books, peer-reviewed articles, and conference papers, it aims to detect similarities and differences in the evolution of anthroponyms and their use in contemporary linguistic contexts. The analysis revealed a lack of specific studies on the morphological structure of anthroponyms in both Kazakh and Turkish. The study confirmed the significance of general onomastics and anthroponymy in understanding the morphological structure of anthroponyms in these languages and highlighted ongoing disagreements on the role of the Turkic linguistic basis in their emergence and development. The obtained results can be used in the teaching of Kazakh and Turkish in academic settings and can also support efforts to preserve cultural heritage.

Types of Social Orientations of Young People in the System of Interethnic Interaction in Multiethnic Cities (On the Example of Bishkek)

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The relevance of the study of types of social identity in Bishkek is conditioned by the need to eliminate social stereotypes regarding different ethnic groups and demonstrate possible productive behaviours to avoid interethnic conflicts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the productive and unproductive types of social orientations within the multiethnic city of Bishkek. The following methods were used: the method of analysing sociological information, statistical, comparative, analytical and synthetic methods. According to the 2022 Census, Bishkek is home to many nationalities, including Kyrgyz, Russians, Uzbeks, Tatars, Dungans, Kazakhs, Turks. The primary focus of this study is on the youth aged 18–29. This paper can be used to investigate the experience of interethnic interaction on the example of different countries of the world, to consider conflict-causing factors and stereotypes in multiethnic structures.

Adaptation of Migrants Returning to Their Historical Homeland

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The relevance of this research is determined by the fact that unsuccessful adaptation can lead to social isolation, unemployment, and other negative consequences, affecting the stability of society. This study aims to analyse the key factors and mechanisms that ensure successful sociocultural, economic, and psychological reintegration in the context of repatriates’ adaptation processes. The total number of respondents was 273 Kazakh repatriates. The sociocultural adaptation of Kazakh repatriates in Kazakh-stan shows several key trends. Mastery of the language of the historical homeland (Kazakh) ranges from medium to high. Attitudes towards traditions are diverse, with more than a third of respondents highlighting the positive influence of traditions on social interaction. While half of the repatriates actively participate in cultural and social activities, challenges arise in balancing traditional values with modern societal norms. As regards economic adaptation, most repatriates successfully secure employment within a short period and develop stable labour relations. The study emphasises the need for targeted support programmes, such as language courses, cultural orientation activities, and psychological counselling, to address the multifaceted challenges of adaptation.

Evaluating the Introduction of Scottish Gaelic Public Broadcaster BBC Alba

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

The article evaluates the policy decision to introduce BBC Alba and provide a public service for Gaelic speakers, focusing on the differing aims and mandates of its two funders – the BBC and MG Alba. Using a logical framework, we examine the aims and strategy BBC Alba has deployed in the context of its two main audience groups: the core Gaelic community and the wider Scottish audience. We utilise data from annual reports, including audience size, number of online streamers, and audience satisfaction. Our analysis suggests that while the stated aims have largely been achieved, the original aims were skewed towards the wider community rather than contributing to language maintenance/ revitalisation. We offer suggestions on how the inputs and outputs could be tweaked to improve the policy’s impact on Gaelic speakers. We conclude that the impact of BBC Alba has been more successful with the wider Scottish audience than the core Gaelic community.

Creating Transnational Social Spaces: The Descendants of Bosnian Immigrants in Slovenia

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

The article addresses the topic of transnational social spaces through a study of the activities of migrants’ descendants. In this qualitative research, we conducted interviews with the descendants of the immigrant community from Bosnia and Herzegovina in Slovenia to examine how they maintain transnational ties with extended kinship and leverage the benefits of these networks. Through interview excerpts, we present the mechanism of reciprocity, descendants’ involvement in institutional, organisational, and business cooperation within broader transnational networks, and their modes of communication with the transnational kinship group.