Filologija, No. 84, 2025.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/moxpjh70vm
Thirty Years of the Act on the State Language of the Slovak Republic
Martina Grčević
Abstract
The Act on the State Language of the Slovak Republic (1995) is one of the key instruments in shaping Slovak language policy after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Its adoption should be viewed in the context of the socio-political transitional processes in which Slovak society found itself at that time. From the outset, the Act had a dual function: ensuring the use of the Slovak language in public and official communication and emphasizing its symbolic and integrative role. It regulates a wide range of areas, from public administration, education, and the media to consumer protection and advertising. Its implementation is overseen by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The Act has often been criticized for restrictive interpretations and a high level of politicization, yet international institutions have confirmed its compliance with European standards. Thirty years of experience show that, despite all the controversies, the Act represents a stabilizing factor in the linguistic practice of Slovakia, while also remaining an open field for debates about the balance between the language of the majority and minority rights.
Keywords
Slovak language, state language policy, Act on the State Language of the Slovak Republic
Hrčak ID:
339784
URI
Publication date:
24.11.2025.
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