ABSTRACT
More than two hundred local branches of the Kranjsko slovenska katoliška jednota were founded across the United States. One of these, the Society of St. Joseph in Bridgeport, Connecticut (and subsequently in Fairfield, Connecticut), was closely connected to the Slovene parish there. Both institutions were dominated by Slovene im migrants from Prekmurje, which gave original characteristics to both parish and local society. At the time of its foundation the society offered support and protection. Its current activities arepredom inantly social and connected with the preservation of Slovene ethnic features.

ABSTRACT
More than two hundred local branches of the Kranjsko slovenska katoliška jednota were founded across the United States. One of these, the Society of St. Joseph in Bridgeport, Connecticut (and subsequently in Fairfield, Connecticut), was closely connected to the Slovene parish there. Both institutions were dominated by Slovene im migrants from Prekmurje, which gave original characteristics to both parish and local society. At the time of its foundation the society offered support and protection. Its current activities arepredom inantly social and connected with the preservation of Slovene ethnic features.

SUMMERY
The history of Australia is doubtlessly connected with the rapid population growth of the continent which is the result of the continuing immigration from 1788, that is the onset of the British colonization, onward. The colonization by the British caused two demographic processes: at first a rapid decrease of the Aboriginal population, which started to climb gradually 2 only after 1945, and constant immigration of the English, Scots, and the Irish; from the beginning of the 19th century onward these were followed by other ethnic groups. Since this ongoing immigration to Australia has always determined the destiny of the country and its population, immigration to the fifth continent plays a primary role in Australian history, politics, economy, culture and, last but not least, in daily lives of those who consider themselves Australians (Anglo-Saxon whites, born in Australia), as well as those who had immigrated there (the so-called »new Australians«).

SUMMERY
The history of Australia is doubtlessly connected with the rapid population growth of the continent which is the result of the continuing immigration from 1788, that is the onset of the British colonization, onward. The colonization by the British caused two demographic processes: at first a rapid decrease of the Aboriginal population, which started to climb gradually 2 only after 1945, and constant immigration of the English, Scots, and the Irish; from the beginning of the 19th century onward these were followed by other ethnic groups. Since this ongoing immigration to Australia has always determined the destiny of the country and its population, immigration to the fifth continent plays a primary role in Australian history, politics, economy, culture and, last but not least, in daily lives of those who consider themselves Australians (Anglo-Saxon whites, born in Australia), as well as those who had immigrated there (the so-called »new Australians«).

SUMMERY
All those who live abroad value their mother tongue very highly. In our case this is the Slovene language. Post-war Slovene immigrants to Argentina felt it their natural duty to pass on the spoken and written language to their descendants. They therefore founded joint local centres and primary school and secondary school courses designed to complement the transfer of the mother tongue taking place in families. In the environment in which they live, it is often not understood why Slovene is spoken in the home, but parents stick to their decision, and by attending primary school in this environment the children master both languages, often a lot better than their contemporaries of other nationalities. The decision to enrol in secondary school courses is made by the children themselves, though they are already considerably under the influence of an environment which tries to achieve the necessary education with the minimum effort. For this reason enrolments are relatively few. I f in first-generation families pas sing on the mother tongue was a duty, in second-generation families consciousness of this duty lessens, which affects children mainly during the period of adolescence. We should of course not forget ethnically mixed marriages, which are so much the more exposed to assimilation.

SUMMERY
All those who live abroad value their mother tongue very highly. In our case this is the Slovene language. Post-war Slovene immigrants to Argentina felt it their natural duty to pass on the spoken and written language to their descendants. They therefore founded joint local centres and primary school and secondary school courses designed to complement the transfer of the mother tongue taking place in families. In the environment in which they live, it is often not understood why Slovene is spoken in the home, but parents stick to their decision, and by attending primary school in this environment the children master both languages, often a lot better than their contemporaries of other nationalities. The decision to enrol in secondary school courses is made by the children themselves, though they are already considerably under the influence of an environment which tries to achieve the necessary education with the minimum effort. For this reason enrolments are relatively few. I f in first-generation families pas sing on the mother tongue was a duty, in second-generation families consciousness of this duty lessens, which affects children mainly during the period of adolescence. We should of course not forget ethnically mixed marriages, which are so much the more exposed to assimilation.

SUMMARY

Among the countries of South America to which large numbers of Slovenes have emigrated, Venezuela is perhaps the most modestly represented in the otherwise relatively extensive literature on Slovene emigration, and only a few articles are to be found on Venezuela either in periodical publications or in specialist or academic literature. For this reason the author decided to make an 18-day visit to Venezuela, during the course of which he met 22 families and spoke with 71 members of the first, second and third generations of immigrants. He spent most time with the family of Tončka Brundula, the president of the Slovene Society of SS Cyril and Methodius in Caracas. After having compared written statements and oral testimony, the author estimates that around 600 Slovenes came to Venezuela and remained there. The majority arrived in 1947, while others continued to arrive gradually until 1960, when immigration from the Slovene ethnic territory more or less came to a halt. Slovenes in Caracas began coming together for communal events as early as 1952, while in 1966 the Cyril and Methodius Society mentioned above was founded. The various events are always attended by around 150 people of Slovene origin (of different generations) and their non-Slovene family members.

Among the second generation, in which the author is most interested, the Slovene language is mainly present among children of Slovene parents, while in most other cases it has partly or completely disappeared. In most cases we can talk about an ‘identification’ identity, i.e. a recognition in principle of Slovene ethnic roots and occasional interest in Slovene matters.

The author fin s that following the death of the Slovene priest Monsignor Janez Grilc in 1997, the Slovene community in Venezuela has found itself at a turning point. It has been left without a spiritual leader and organizer, and without a fresh consolidation; i f the society does not start operating again, the already fairly weak links connecting the dispersed community will be broken, which could lead to accelerated assimilation and the complete disappearance of a Slovene identity.

SUMMARY

Among the countries of South America to which large numbers of Slovenes have emigrated, Venezuela is perhaps the most modestly represented in the otherwise relatively extensive literature on Slovene emigration, and only a few articles are to be found on Venezuela either in periodical publications or in specialist or academic literature. For this reason the author decided to make an 18-day visit to Venezuela, during the course of which he met 22 families and spoke with 71 members of the first, second and third generations of immigrants. He spent most time with the family of Tončka Brundula, the president of the Slovene Society of SS Cyril and Methodius in Caracas. After having compared written statements and oral testimony, the author estimates that around 600 Slovenes came to Venezuela and remained there. The majority arrived in 1947, while others continued to arrive gradually until 1960, when immigration from the Slovene ethnic territory more or less came to a halt. Slovenes in Caracas began coming together for communal events as early as 1952, while in 1966 the Cyril and Methodius Society mentioned above was founded. The various events are always attended by around 150 people of Slovene origin (of different generations) and their non-Slovene family members.

Among the second generation, in which the author is most interested, the Slovene language is mainly present among children of Slovene parents, while in most other cases it has partly or completely disappeared. In most cases we can talk about an ‘identification’ identity, i.e. a recognition in principle of Slovene ethnic roots and occasional interest in Slovene matters.

The author fin s that following the death of the Slovene priest Monsignor Janez Grilc in 1997, the Slovene community in Venezuela has found itself at a turning point. It has been left without a spiritual leader and organizer, and without a fresh consolidation; i f the society does not start operating again, the already fairly weak links connecting the dispersed community will be broken, which could lead to accelerated assimilation and the complete disappearance of a Slovene identity.

Book Reviews is published on SLO pages.

Book Reviews is published on SLO pages.