Geographical Distribution, age Structure, and comparitive Identity Awareness of Persons of slovene Language in the United State

Abstract

Data on persons of Slovene language (PSL) contained in U. S. censuses of 1940 and 1970 are analyzed and compared vvith data for other linguistic groups. The foreign born PSL subgroup (first generation) both dwindled and aged considerably. Cohorts of the second generation who were under 25 years of age in 1940 show an abnormally high attrition, which tends to indicate a loss of ethnic awareness among this subgroup. On the other hand, the corresponding cohorts of the third generation increased in numbers, indicating a gain in Slovene ethnic awareness.