Abstrakt
This chapter explores public manifestations of the identity of the German (Mantak) language group in the Eastern Slovak town of Medzev, particularly through the inscriptions found on gravestones in local cemeteries. The field research and the subsequent analysis focus on the question of whether gravestone inscriptions manifest the identity of Germans (Mantaks) in Medzev and, if yes, to what extent it was an intentional decision of the deceased or the relatives.
The research suggests that gravestones serve as windows into Mantak identity, yet it also reveals a more nuanced portrayal of this phenomenon. While some individuals employ gravestones to underscore their Mantak heritage, others, notably within linguistically mixed families, opt for Slovak inscriptions based on the specific context.
This highlights the malleability of linguistic boundaries and aligns with the theoretical framework proposed by Rogers Brubaker, illustrating the conditional nature of identity categories within multifaceted multilingual environments. This research offers profound insights into the coexistence of individuals in regions marked by linguistic diversity.