Students Express Concerns Over Slovak Language Law Amendment

The Marie Valerie Bridge connecting Esztergom with the Slovakian town of Sturovo.

The National Conference of Student Self-Governments (HÖOK) has raised concerns over the planned amendment to the Language Law of Slovakia, which, according to leaked information, would significantly limit the use of minority languages, particularly Hungarian.

The proposed changes could undermine the linguistic and cultural identity of the Hungarian community in Slovakia. The amendment would make Slovak the only language allowed for official communications, a move that HÖOK argues violates the constitutional rights of minorities in Slovakia.

The Slovak Constitution guarantees the right for minorities to use their languages in public offices, and the new proposal contradicts these protections.

The changes would also have a profound impact on the Hungarian community making it much harder to access essential services in Hungarian. For instance, people could no longer buy tickets, send parcels, or call for emergency services in Hungarian, severely limiting their ability to navigate daily life. The student’s organization points out that the right to speak one’s mother tongue is a crucial aspect of cultural survival, and these restrictions would endanger the community’s identity.

The Hungarian language plays a fundamental role in preserving cultural heritage, and this proposed law would put that at risk.

Under the new law, individuals and institutions would face fines of up to EUR 5,000 for using minority languages in official contexts, which could lead to significant challenges for Hungarian speakers. HÖOK, along with its member organization representing Hungarian students in Slovakia, emphasized that the preservation of Hungarian language and culture is not only important for local communities but for the entire Hungarian nation.

The student body strongly believes that the right to speak in one’s mother tongue should be protected as a cornerstone of identity and community survival. In conclusion, the proposed amendment threatens minority language rights, the cultural identity of the Hungarian community, and the principles enshrined in Slovakia’s Constitution.

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