Transnationalism, Education and Slovenian Diaspora: Exploring Online Educational Resources for Slovenian Emigrants and Their Descendants

Abstract

The article addresses the use of online communication technologies for educational purposes by Slovenian emigrants and their descendants. Technologies such as web-classes, forums, blogs and social networks enable them to maintain transnational links with the homeland, especially in terms of learning the language, and exploring, preserving and negotiating cultural practices. The article builds on the extensive content analysis of web pages, portals and social network sites where they interact to discuss the variety of themes connected with Slovenian culture. It is argued that shared meanings are not necessarily communicated and negotiated within the frame of a single language, and that learning about cultural heritage and contemporary lifestyles through discussions on social networks is an efficient and popular mode of informal learning.

• transnationalism
• education
• Internet
• social networks
• Slovenian diaspora

Notes

¹ A good selection of articles on ‘Transforming education through technology’ can be found on e-learningeuropa.info (http://elearningeuropa.info/en/articles).

² The Internet is ‘globalizing in that it allows virtual border crossings between the geographical location of producers, distributors and consumers’ (Burgess and Green 2009).

³ National/cultural heritage is understood here as folklore, traditions, values, customs and practices passed from one generation to the next.

⁴ A participatory culture is defined as one with ‘relatively low barriers to artistic expression and civic engagement, strong support for creating and sharing creations with others, some type of informal mentorship whereby what is known by the most experienced is passed along to novices, members who believe their contributions matter, and members who feel some degree of social connection with one another’ (Jenkins et al. 2009, 5–6).

⁵ All those elements, however, become subject to individual interpretations on the Internet (Mikola and Gombač 2008).

⁶ Slovenians are a small nation of only two million people, who prior to 1991 were without their own nation-state. The first mass emigrations were observed at the end of the eighteenth and beginning of the nineteenth century to the United States and later to Canada, Australia and Argentina. Argentina became an especially popular destination for the opponents of the communist regime, who emigrated, in great numbers, after the Second World War. In all those countries, Slovenians established their own societies in which social and religious activities for the members were organised, and in which cultural heritage was nurtured.

⁷ Slovenian mountaineering society Triglav, in Switzerland.

⁸ Web page of Slovenian Youth in Argentina.

⁹ Members are encouraged to create groups according to common interests. Only 10 groups have been created so far: Wine connects us (5 members), Learn Slovenian (SLO, 4 members), Learn Slovene Language (ENG, 10 members), Slovenians in USA (SLO, 8 members), Slovenians in the States (ENG, 7 members), Slovenians in Canada (1 member), Slovenians in South America (3 members), Slovenians in Montenegro (2 members), Slovenia Australia Channel (5 members), Slovenians in Cordoba (1 member) (http://community.slovenci.si/groups).

¹⁰ Six units focus on the following topics: Unit 1: ‘Slovenes in Australia’; Unit 2: ‘From Padua Hall to Baraga House’; Unit 3: ‘Slovenian language in Australia’; Unit 4: ‘Forty years of successful life on the fifth continent’; Unit 5: ‘Handicrafts from Australia’; Unit 6: ‘Report on the visit of Slovenian governmental officials in Australia’.

¹¹ The Carniolan bee is native to the Kočevje region, geographically located in the south of Slovenia.

¹² Learning Slovenian online (http://www.slowenisch-lernen.uni-hamburg.de/).

¹³ At the end of March 2012, 901 million monthly active users and more than 125 billion friend connections have been noted on Facebook. On average, 562 million users are registered, more than 300 million photos are uploaded and 3.2 billion ‘likes’ and comments are generated in a day. Facebook is available in more than 70 languages (http://newsroom.fb.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId = 22).

¹⁴ Pureed beans, sauerkraut and Kranjska sausage, a popular combination in Slovenian cuisine.

¹⁵ Layer cake made of poppy seeds, apples, walnuts and curd cheese which originates from Prekmurje, the south-eastern region of Slovenia.

¹⁶ Triglav is the highest Slovenian mountain (2,884 m). According to a popular belief, you are not truly Slovenian until you have reached its peak.

¹⁷ Slovenian cultural day is celebrated on 8 February and denotes the day when the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren, died.

¹⁸ For example, Slovene Hall Jam Session in Fontana, California (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v = eraKZ96hYf4).

¹⁹ Examples of groups on Facebook, created with the purpose of exploring Slovenian culture and nationality include: Cuantos Slovenos y desdendiantes hay in Chile en el Cono Sur (How many Slovenians are in Chile and Southern Horn); Eslovenos en Venezuela (Slovenians in Venezuela); Canadian Slovenian Youth; People of Slovenian Ancestry; Sexy Slovenian Society; Slovenia Best Country in the World; Slovenians in Australia; Slovenian Kangaroos Australia; There is love in every Slovenian; You know you are Slovenian when….

²⁰ Tripe, lining of the stomach of cattle, that may produce an unpleasant smell while cooking.

²¹ Baked crumbles, made using a pancake mixture.

²² Pancakes.

²³ Relish, made principally of peppers and spices.

²⁴ Yummy.