Nataša Komac
Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za družbene vede, Slovensko kulturno središče Planika, SLORI, Ljubljana, 2009
This monographic publication deals with the question of developing communication skills in Slovenian language in a linguistically mixed environment, specifically in Val Canale. The author highlights the mutual influence of some crucial elements in the development of communication skills within the formal school environment. She also observes the characteristics of the narrow familiar environment and of the wider context, highlighting the parental motivation with regard to learning and using Slovenian as compared to other languages of the area of Val Canale. Based on the ascertained communication needs of the population, she tries to define the position of the Slovenian language in the bilingual reality of Val Canale. She warns that the future existence and development of the Slovenian language depends on the role it will be given in education, as well as on how the media will consolidate its position; moreover, both these elements depend on the increase of opportunities for using Slovenian in public communication. This interactive approach allows her to offer practical proposals and guidelines that a creative linguistic policy could sensibly put into practice as to favour the diffusion of the Slovenian language as one of the autochthonous languages of Val Canale.