Language shift in a Czech minority in Serbia

This thesis deals with contemporary language situation of Czech minority living in Serbian part of the region of Banat, focusing on the language shift as a significant sociolinguistic phenomenon which refers to intergenerational language loss. In the first part of the thesis, basic theoretical principles are presented and an outline of present conceptions of the language shift, based on research of various bilingual communities, is given. The second part concentrates on the analysis of the data gathered during several excursions into Vojvodina located in the northern part of Serbia (Vršac, Bela Crkva, Češko Selo). On the basis of formulated hypothesis, it is investigated what attitude to minority language speakers through generational spectrum occupy, how particular sociolinguistic factors are reflected in their language competence and how the intergenerational communication happen in particular interactions. The goal of the research is to give a partial picture of the development of the language shift in Serbian part of the Banat, compiled on the basis of the direct observation inside the specific family as well as the analysis of the interactions between the family's particular members. Keywords: Sociolinguistics, language contact, bilingualism, minority language, language shift,..