This article discusses Slovenian in Italy as a first, second, and foreign language, as well as the perceptions of speakers, the influence of ideological presumptions about language policies, and inadequate attempts to attract and engage new speakers of Slovenian. Concepts such as first language, second language, and foreign language on the one hand, or primary language, heritage language, and language of a neighboring country on the other, raise engaging epistemological questions concerning the broader fields of language teaching, linguistic identity, and social dynamics.
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