Changes of Slovene and South Slavic Studies at Charles University in the Czechoslovak, i.e. Czech Republic after the Year 1989
Abstract
Slovene Studies as a part of Slavic Studies in the Czechoslovak, i.e. Czech Republic has a long tradition.
The fruitful relationship between Slovene and Czech scholars and writers began in the Romantic period. Czech scholars studied Slovene language and literature in the context of South Slavic Studies which ex- 232 Alenka Jensterle-Doležalová perienced its peak at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.
The first lectures of Slovene at Charles University began in 1914. Through the time teaching of Slovene experienced great successes, but also went through periods of great challenges and troubles influenced by dramatic political changes in the Czech society in the turbulent 20th century.
In the period from 1951 to 1968 the Slovene language was not taught at Charles University as in postwar totalitarian Czechoslovakia there was no real attention paid to this minor South Slavic language. A positive transformation of Slovene Studies came after 1993/94 and lasted until 2008.
In that period there was a possibility to study the Slovene language, literature, history and culture as an autonomous subject or in combination with other subjects. After 2008 the approach to Slavic Studies has changed: Slovene Studies has become a part of Areal Studies of the Balkan and South Slavic region.
But as there has persisted the oscillation between philology and historical studies the future of Slovene as one minor South Slavic language at Charles University is still very uncertain.