szlovák

Szlovák is a Slavic language spoken primarily in Slovakia. It belongs to the West Slavic branch of the Slavic languages and is closely related to Czech, Polish, and Sorbian. Szlovák is the official language of Slovakia and one of the official languages of the European Union.

The language has a long history, with the first written records dating back to the 10th century. Over time, it has evolved from Old Church Slavonic, which was used in liturgical services, to the modern Szlovák spoken today. The language has been influenced by German, Hungarian, and other languages with which it has come into contact throughout history.

Szlovák has a relatively complex grammar system, with six cases and a system of vowel mutation. Verbs are conjugated in a similar way to those in other Slavic languages, with the addition of a "š" sound in the past tense. The language also uses a unique system of diacritical marks, such as the "áč" and "áč" diacritics.

Szlovák is the native language of around 5 million people, primarily in Slovakia. It is also spoken by a smaller number of people in neighboring countries, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary. Efforts to promote the language have been made through education and cultural initiatives, including the establishment of the Ján Botto Slovak Literature Institute.

Despite the efforts to preserve the language, Szlovák faces threats from globalisation and urbanisation, particularly among younger people who may prefer to speak more widely spoken languages such as English or German. However, the language remains an important part of Slovak culture and identity.