Anton Martin Slomšek considered linguistic education as one of the most important in theological studies and strived for it in various ways. As a theology student and later as a spiritual in Klagenfurt seminary he carried out classes of Slovene, and the lack of appropriate study books made him put together Slovene grammar in German and a study book of ecclesiastic rhetoric. Thus, Slomšek's linguistic education of future clergy had a wider meaning, because he intensively tried to improve the Slovene education and reinforce the position of the Slovene language within it, which was from the view of equality entitled to alongside the prevailing German. His linguistic work also had long-term influences, by which Slomšek prepared the basis for further development of events at the time the diocesan headquarters was being moved and the beginnings of higher education in Maribor were taking place. Last but not least, his understanding of Slovene language remains up-to-date in modern linguistic planning of mother tongue in the Slovene educational system – as well as on the level of higher education.
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