language, nation, linguistic situation, Slavic languages, Czech language

The language does not perform merely a communicative function; it is also an instrument through which various differences – ethnic, ideological (e.g. religious), political, cultural or civilizational – are manifested. Language is an instrument which makes an individual aware of their own uniqueness (self-reflection) and of the different nature of a foreign speech community. In other words, language performs the functions of consolidation and delimitation. Besides the internal, systemic processes that operate within a language and cause it to change, language is also clearly influenced by external, extra-linguistic factors. The aim of this monograph is to provide a basic description of how contemporary Slavic languages – especially their standard varieties – function as codes for public communication across society. Although the discussion encompasses aspects of the broader context of language policy in Slavic-speaking territories, its main focus is on the specific features of the situation in the Czech national language. The study attempts to characterize Czech linguists’ attitudes to the standard Czech language and to other important varieties of Czech. The present publication consists of 11 chapters which deal with partial topics: The triad: language – nation – state; Language status; Language planning; Standardization; The Czech linguistic situation; Czech language policy; Reflections on the Czech linguistic situation; The linguistic norm and attitudes to it; The standard language norm – wanted and unwanted; The linguistic norm and written/spoken language; For the sake of correctness and purity.