Differences in the Use of Standard Slovenian between Primož Trubar and Števan Küzmič

Abstract

Trubar's 500th birth anniversary opens up many questions about the development of language and the formation of (unitary) standard Slovenian. The beginnings of standard Slovenian are linked to a 16th-century Slovenian dialect that was spoken in central Slovenia. In the 18th century there was a shift towards the dialect of eastern Slovenia, which grew out of its dialectal confinements and developed into an independent standard form. Until the middle of the 19th century the Slovenian language had two standard forms that were created by Trubar and Küzmič. Both these forms contained elements of the spoken and pre-standard language, yet Trubar was linked more with central Slovenian dialects and city language whereas Küzmič's language was more rural. At the basis of their stylistics lay the idea that everyone should understand their language. By transcending dialectal limitations both the languages of Trubar and Küzmič became standard forms, thus setting the norm for a central Slovenian and eastern Slovenian standard form of language.