The Role of Language in Preserving Ethnic Identity: The Case of Slovene Immigrants in North Macedonia

The purpose of the article is to explore the role that language has in preserving the ethnic identity among first-, second- and third-generation Slovene immigrants in North Macedonia. The main focus is on the ways they perceive their ethnic identity in relation to language maintenance and how their attitudes are reflected in the actual use. In terms of methodology, the article relies on the analysis and interpretation of the survey and semi-structured interviews held with representatives of all three generations living in North Macedonia. The research was based on the assumption that language is perceived differently among members of the first generation compared to the members of the second and third generations and that language is a key factor in preserving the Slovene community in North Macedonia. We confirmed that knowledge and use of the Slovene language is more important to the first group and less to the second group, since they use it less and only in certain circumstances. The thesis that language is of key importance for preserving the Slovene community was not proved.