Dialects in Slovenia and the Influence of Neighboring Languages on Them
Slovenia, despite its small size, boasts remarkable linguistic diversity. The Slovenian language is not just a standard literary language, but also includes numerous regional varieties known as dialects. For Erasmus students and ESC participants coming to Slovenia, learning about this linguistic diversity can be fascinating. Slovenian has seven main dialect groups, which are shaped by historical and geographical influences, while also being heavily impacted by the languages of neighboring countries. The seven dialect groups of Slovenian are divided into approximately 50 different dialects, but we won't go that far, no worries. In this blog, we will explore the major Slovenian dialects and the influences of neighboring languages such as Italian, German, Hungarian and Croatian.
Gorenjska Dialect
The Gorenjska dialect belongs to the Alpine dialect group and is spoken in the region of Gorenjska in the northwestern part of Slovenia. The Gorenjska dialect is very close to the literary language, though it has its peculiarities. One of its main characteristics is the strong emphasis on the first syllable, a feature shared with some other Alpine dialects. The influence of German is also quite noticeable in Gorenjska. German words and expressions, such as keller (cellar), cajti (from the German word Zeit, meaning time), and many others, are still present in everyday use.
Primorska Dialect
Primorska is a region in the west of Slovenia, bordering Italy. Due to its proximity to the Italian border, Primorska dialects are strongly influenced by Italian. Primorska dialects are known for their soft pronunciation of consonants and a speech melody that resembles Italian. Words like ferje (holidays, from the Italian ferie) and špageti (from the Italian spaghetti, meaning pasta) are just some examples of the Italian influence.
Štajerska Dialect
Štajerska is located in the northeastern part of Slovenia and borders Austria, like Gorenjska, so the German influence is strong here as well. However, Štajerska has its own unique linguistic character. The Štajerska dialect differs from the literary language more significantly than the Gorenjska dialect, mainly due to its distinct phonetic system. The German influence is visible in vocabulary, especially in technical and economic terms, such as fabrika (factory) and šrauf (screw). In addition, Štajerska's proximity to Croatia and Hungary has also brought some influence from these two languages, although to a lesser extent.
Prekmurje Dialect
Prekmurje, located in the far northeastern part of Slovenia, bordering Hungary, has a unique dialect that is very different from other Slovenian dialects. The Prekmurje dialect is so distinct that some linguists in the past considered it a separate language. One of its main features is the preservation of sounds that have disappeared in the literary language, as well as the strong influence of Hungarian.
Hungarian has influenced Prekmurje mainly in vocabulary, as locals often use Hungarian expressions such as kenyer (bread), čizma (from Hungarian csizma, meaning boots), and many others. Hungarian has also influenced the syntax and intonation of the Prekmurje dialect.
Dolenjska Dialect
The Dolenjska dialect is spoken in the southeastern part of Slovenia and belongs to the Dolenjska dialect group. These dialects are known for their soft speech melody and frequent lengthening of vowels. The Dolenjska dialects are close to the Croatian border, so the influence of Croatian is particularly evident in the vocabulary. Words such as cuker (sugar) and buča (pumpkin) originate from Croatian, although they are now considered Slovenian. Croatian and the Dolenjska dialect also share some grammatical peculiarities, a result of centuries of interaction between the inhabitants on both sides of the border.
Notranjska Dialect
Notranjska, located in central Slovenia, has its own peculiarities, although compared to other dialects, it is perhaps less influenced by neighboring languages. The Notranjska dialects are closer to the standard literary language, although they have some unique characteristics, such as a distinct accent system.
Bela krajina and its Dialect
Bela krajina, in southeastern Slovenia bordering Croatia, has its own dialect, which belongs to the Dolenjska dialect group but with significant differences. Due to its geographical location, Bela krajina is strongly influenced by Croatian, which is reflected in vocabulary, phonetics, and syntax. Bela krajina has a considerable number of Croatian expressions in everyday language, such as šola (school), cvek (nail), and kaj (what). In addition, these influences are also present in the speech melody, which is closer to Croatian dialects than to other Slovenian dialects.
Slovenia, therefore, borders four countries: Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. The influences of neighboring languages on Slovenian dialects are thus inevitable and go deep into history. While some influences are obvious, like the Italian influence on the Primorska dialect, others are more subtle but equally significant.
Italian has strongly influenced the Primorska dialects, while German had a huge impact on the Gorenjska, Štajerska, and Notranjska dialects. Moreover, German also influenced grammatical structures, particularly in the areas of cases and stress. Hungarian has had the greatest impact on the Prekmurje dialect. In addition to numerous Hungarian words, the influence is also visible in the syntax and stress patterns. The Hungarian influence is the result of centuries of contact between Hungarians and Prekmurje inhabitants, who lived nearby. Croatian has had the most significant influence on the dialects near the border, particularly on the Dolenjska and Bela krajina dialects.
Dialects spoken in different parts of Slovenia are thus living evidence of historical contacts and trade routes. The diversity of dialects in Slovenia is not just a matter of the past. Neighboring language influences are still present today and shape the contemporary Slovenian language.
For Erasmus students coming to Slovenia, exploring these linguistic differences offers a great opportunity to understand the rich cultural heritage of the host country. By entering an international environment like the Erasmus+ or ESC program, foreign students will also contribute to this rich linguistic dynamic in modern Slovenian.
Have fun and practise Slovenian with OLS! See you around,
Alenka, Community Manager – Slovenian
Slovenia, despite its small size, boasts remarkable linguistic diversity. The Slovenian language is not just a standard literary language, but also includes numerous regional varieties known as dialects. For Erasmus students and ESC participants coming to Slovenia, learning about this linguistic diversity can be fascinating. Slovenian has seven main dialect groups, which are shaped by historical and geographical influences, while also being heavily impacted by the languages of neighboring countries. The seven dialect groups of Slovenian are divided into approximately 50 different dialects, but we won't go that far, no worries. In this blog, we will explore the major Slovenian dialects and the influences of neighboring languages such as Italian, German, Hungarian and Croatian.
Gorenjska Dialect
The Gorenjska dialect belongs to the Alpine dialect group and is spoken in the region of Gorenjska in the northwestern part of Slovenia. The Gorenjska dialect is very close to the literary language, though it has its peculiarities. One of its main characteristics is the strong emphasis on the first syllable, a feature shared with some other Alpine dialects. The influence of German is also quite noticeable in Gorenjska. German words and expressions, such as keller (cellar), cajti (from the German word Zeit, meaning time), and many others, are still present in everyday use.
Primorska Dialect
Primorska is a region in the west of Slovenia, bordering Italy. Due to its proximity to the Italian border, Primorska dialects are strongly influenced by Italian. Primorska dialects are known for their soft pronunciation of consonants and a speech melody that resembles Italian. Words like ferje (holidays, from the Italian ferie) and špageti (from the Italian spaghetti, meaning pasta) are just some examples of the Italian influence.
Štajerska Dialect
Štajerska is located in the northeastern part of Slovenia and borders Austria, like Gorenjska, so the German influence is strong here as well. However, Štajerska has its own unique linguistic character. The Štajerska dialect differs from the literary language more significantly than the Gorenjska dialect, mainly due to its distinct phonetic system. The German influence is visible in vocabulary, especially in technical and economic terms, such as fabrika (factory) and šrauf (screw). In addition, Štajerska's proximity to Croatia and Hungary has also brought some influence from these two languages, although to a lesser extent.
Prekmurje Dialect
Prekmurje, located in the far northeastern part of Slovenia, bordering Hungary, has a unique dialect that is very different from other Slovenian dialects. The Prekmurje dialect is so distinct that some linguists in the past considered it a separate language. One of its main features is the preservation of sounds that have disappeared in the literary language, as well as the strong influence of Hungarian.
Hungarian has influenced Prekmurje mainly in vocabulary, as locals often use Hungarian expressions such as kenyer (bread), čizma (from Hungarian csizma, meaning boots), and many others. Hungarian has also influenced the syntax and intonation of the Prekmurje dialect.
Dolenjska Dialect
The Dolenjska dialect is spoken in the southeastern part of Slovenia and belongs to the Dolenjska dialect group. These dialects are known for their soft speech melody and frequent lengthening of vowels. The Dolenjska dialects are close to the Croatian border, so the influence of Croatian is particularly evident in the vocabulary. Words such as cuker (sugar) and buča (pumpkin) originate from Croatian, although they are now considered Slovenian. Croatian and the Dolenjska dialect also share some grammatical peculiarities, a result of centuries of interaction between the inhabitants on both sides of the border.
Notranjska Dialect
Notranjska, located in central Slovenia, has its own peculiarities, although compared to other dialects, it is perhaps less influenced by neighboring languages. The Notranjska dialects are closer to the standard literary language, although they have some unique characteristics, such as a distinct accent system.
Bela krajina and its Dialect
Bela krajina, in southeastern Slovenia bordering Croatia, has its own dialect, which belongs to the Dolenjska dialect group but with significant differences. Due to its geographical location, Bela krajina is strongly influenced by Croatian, which is reflected in vocabulary, phonetics, and syntax. Bela krajina has a considerable number of Croatian expressions in everyday language, such as šola (school), cvek (nail), and kaj (what). In addition, these influences are also present in the speech melody, which is closer to Croatian dialects than to other Slovenian dialects.
Slovenia, therefore, borders four countries: Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. The influences of neighboring languages on Slovenian dialects are thus inevitable and go deep into history. While some influences are obvious, like the Italian influence on the Primorska dialect, others are more subtle but equally significant.
Italian has strongly influenced the Primorska dialects, while German had a huge impact on the Gorenjska, Štajerska, and Notranjska dialects. Moreover, German also influenced grammatical structures, particularly in the areas of cases and stress. Hungarian has had the greatest impact on the Prekmurje dialect. In addition to numerous Hungarian words, the influence is also visible in the syntax and stress patterns. The Hungarian influence is the result of centuries of contact between Hungarians and Prekmurje inhabitants, who lived nearby. Croatian has had the most significant influence on the dialects near the border, particularly on the Dolenjska and Bela krajina dialects.
Dialects spoken in different parts of Slovenia are thus living evidence of historical contacts and trade routes. The diversity of dialects in Slovenia is not just a matter of the past. Neighboring language influences are still present today and shape the contemporary Slovenian language.
For Erasmus students coming to Slovenia, exploring these linguistic differences offers a great opportunity to understand the rich cultural heritage of the host country. By entering an international environment like the Erasmus+ or ESC program, foreign students will also contribute to this rich linguistic dynamic in modern Slovenian.
Have fun and practise Slovenian with OLS! See you around,
Alenka, Community Manager – Slovenian