Krajané v Chorvatsku a jejich jazykové biografie

The Czech minority has been living in today’s Croatia’s territory for more than 200 years. However, it has been able to preserve its energy and to resist assimilation. What makes it different from other minorities? How come its members have not undergone assimilation with the majority population? Since language is considered one of the fundamental characteristics of an individual’s identity, to what extent is the Czech language important for Czech compatriots in the way they perceive their own identity? Do they reflect upon their lives among two or more languages, do they think about the advantages and disadvantages of a multilingual environment? What factors play a role when deciding which language to use in specific situations? And what is their relationship with “their” languages?
The book presents the main aspects of the Czech minority living in Croatia (history, social status, language situation). Based on language biography research, it attempts to find answers to at least some of the questions, thus contributing to a better understanding of the language behaviour of the Czech minority in this area. The book also explores language processes taking place in compatriot families and identifies the factors that contribute to the preservation of the minority language and to the resistance to assimilation.