The role of music in the revitalization and preservation of the Ruthenian language and culture (a case study in the NE of Slovakia)

The presented thesis is focused on the role of music in ethnolinguistic revitalization activities. The aim of the work is to map and analyse the relationship between music and language in the environment of the ethnolinguistic minority in Slovakia. Ethnolinguistic revitalization includes efforts to revive and maintain a disappearing language in a minority ethnic group and strengthen the ethnic identity of members of the ethnic group. We encounter such activities more and more often in the world. In this thesis, the author examines the use of music and songs within the private and public sphere of the life of members of an ethnic minority, the role and function of music in the culture of a particular ethnic minority, and the degree of influence of music on the ethnolinguistic revitalization movement. Specifically, the mentioned tendencies are examined among the ethnic Ruthenians in Slovakia, where there has been an observable linguistic shift towards the Slovak language. For the purpose of the work, field research was also carried out, from which the obtained material was properly processed, analysed and interpreted. At the same time, during the research, the broader social and historical context was taken into account and compared with the current situation and the conclusions of previous research...