V prispevku obravnavam slovenščino v Italiji kot prvi, drugi in tuji jezik, percepcije govork in govorcev, vpliv ideoloških stališč na jezikovno politiko in problem (ne)pridobivanja novih govork in govorcev slovenskega jezika. Opredelitve, kakršne so po eni strani prvi, drugi in tuji jezik, po drugi pa primarni, dediščinski in sosedski jezik, odpirajo zanimiva epistemološka vprašanja, ki zadevajo širša področja didaktike jezika, jezikovne identitete in družbenih dinamik.sociolingvistika, slovenščina v Italiji, manjšinski jeziki, jezikovna ideologija, jezikovna identiteta This article discusses Slovenian in Italy as a first, second, and foreign language, as well as the perceptions of speakers, the influence of ideological presumptions about language policies, and inadequate attempts to attract and engage new speakers of Slovenian. Concepts such as first language, second language, and foreign language on the one hand, or primary language, heritage language, and language of a neighboring country on the other, raise engaging epistemological questions concerning the broader fields of language teaching, linguistic identity, and social dynamics.sociolinguistics, Slovenian in Italy, minority language, language ideology, language identity