The Perception of Language (Dis)Similarity: Slovak and Hungarian Ethnic Minorities in Prague

Abstract

Language can ascribe meanings to surrounding environments by means of words and speech that are meaningful for the members of any given society. This chapter examines the similarity between the Slovak and Czech languages from the position of the Slovak minority in Prague. On the whole, taking language similarity into account relates to contemporary attitudes of Slovaks toward their attributes within Prague’s multicultural spaces. Perception of this similarity requires one to examine the whole context in which people’s sense-making practices develop. The data was derived from semi-structured interviews, participant observations and direct participation with Slovak and Hungarian ethnic minorities.