Hovor

Hovor is a term used in several Slavic languages with meanings connected to speaking, talking, or conversation. In its general sense, hovor denotes speech or informal talk and is used to refer to conversational language as distinct from formal or written forms. In Czech, Slovak, Ukrainian, and related varieties, the form functions as a noun meaning chat or talk, while related expressions describe speech or discourse more broadly.

In linguistics and sociolinguistics, hovor figures in discussions of register, colloquial speech, slang, and phonetic simplifications that characterize everyday conversation. Research explores how hovor varies by region, age, gender, education, and social context, including how speakers switch between hovor and standardized language forms. The concept helps distinguish casual speech from formal or literary varieties and contributes to understanding language usage in everyday life.

The term also occurs as a proper noun in some Slavic-speaking areas, where it is used as a place name or surname independent of its linguistic sense. As a toponym, hovor may reflect historical or cultural associations with gatherings or local districts, though such origins are varied and not uniform across locations. In encyclopedic use, hovor is encountered mainly in language descriptions, dictionaries, and regional studies as a label for ordinary spoken language.

See also: conversation, talk, colloquial language, sociolinguistics, register.