The national language of Slovakia, Slovakia

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The national language of Slovakia is Slovak, a Slavic language which is similar to and mutually intelligible with Czech (before 1993 newscasters alternated languages in nightly news reports to give fair time to each). The younger generation however already tends to have problems understanding Czech.

Slovak is written using the same Roman characters that English uses, so Western travellers won't have any trouble reading signs and maps.

As a Hungarian territory for so many years, there is a significant Hungarian-speaking minority of 9,7%. Most of the Hungarians live in southern regions of the country. Other Slovaks however normally do not speak or understand the Hungarian language.

While you can probably make do with English and German in Bratislava, in smaller towns and villages your only chance is trying to approach younger people that speak some English. Older residents may know some German. People born before 1980 and after 1935 will have learned Russian in school.

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General Tips about Slovakia

» Required travel documents for Slovakia
» Alarm telephone number
» Permissible concentration of alcohol in the blood
» Electric power
» Area code to Slovakia
» Stamps in Slovakia
» Hostelling in Bratislava - Bernolak Hostel
» Traditional Slovak Restaurant - Staroslovenska Krcma
» President's Palace in Bratislava
» Novy Most, Bratislava
» The castle's park in Bojnice
» Bojnice's Castle
» Battle at Moháč - new period
» Education
» The Tatras National Park (TANAP)
» Slovakia - getting around
» The national language of Slovakia
» Visas
» Ľubietová
» Rajecké Teplice
» Staré Hory
» Levoča
» Michalovce
» Modra
» Budmerice
» Trnava
» Petržalka - City districts of Bratislava
» ŠÃºtovo
» Príbelce
» Brhlovce
» Brezno
» Hnúšťa
» Herľany
» Podbranč
» Veľké Leváre
» Košice
» Dolný Kubín
» Kremnica
» Šelpice
» Čachtice
» Slavin
» Treasures
» The castle Devín
» Poprad - Tatry Slovakia
» Tatranska Kotlina, Slovakia
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» Tatranske Matliare, Slovakia
» Tatranska Lomnica, Slovakia
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» Bratislava - Michael's Gate with Tower (Michalská brána)
» Bratislava - Slovak National Theatre (Slovenské národné divadlo)
» Bratislava - Academia Istropolitana Slovakia's first university
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» Bratislava - Mirbach Palace (Mirbachov palác)
» Bratislava - Grassalkovich Palace
» Bratislava - Primatial Palace (Primaciálny palác)
» Bratislava - Old Town Hall (Stará radnica)
» Bratislava Castle
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» Bratislava - Church of the Annunciation
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» Bratislava - history
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