The National Council of the Slovak Republic, following from the fact that the Slovak language is the most important feature of the individuality of the Slovak nation, the most precious value of its cultural heritage and the expression of sovereignty of the Slovak Republic and the universal communication mean of its citizens, that ensures their freedom and equality in dignity and rights 1) on the territory of the Slovak Republic, has adopted the following law:

Introductory provision

(1) The state language on the territory of the Slovak Republic is the Slovak language. 2)

(2) The state language has preference over other languages used on the territory of the Slovak Republic.

(3) Law does not treat usage of liturgical languages. The usage of these languages is treated by regulations of churches and religious communities. 3)

(4) Law does not treat the usage of languages of national minorities and ethnic groups. The usage of these languages is treated by special laws. 4)

State language and its protection
(1) The state

a) creates in school, scientific and information systems such conditions that each citizen of the Slovak Republic may acquire and use the state language in word and in writing,
b) takes care for scientific research of the state language, its historical development, research of local and social dialects, codification of the state language and increase of the language culture.

(2) The codified form of the state language is stated by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic (hereafter only “the Ministry of Culture”) on the proposal of special Slovak linguistic workplaces.

(3) Any intervention into the codified form of the state language in discrepance with its causalities is not allowable.

Usage of the state language in official contacts

(1) State bodies and state organizations, bodies of territorial self-administration and bodies of public and legal institutions 5) (hereafter only public and legal organs) use obligatorily the state language while performing their duties on the whole territory of the Slovak Republic. Showing of adequate knowledge of the state language in word and in writing is the condition of acceptance to work or to a similar labour relation and the assumption of performing the agreed-upon work in determined working activity in legal and public organs.

(2) Employees and functionaries of public and legal organs, transport and communication employees as well as members of armed forces, armed security corps, other armed corps and fire corps use the state language in official contacts.

(3) In the state language

a) laws, governmental acts and other general binding legal regulations including regulations of organs of the territorial self-administration, decisions and other public deeds are published,
b) negotiations of public and legal organs are conducted,
c) entire official agenda (registers, minutes, resolutions, statistics, registers, balances, official records, information determined for public, etc.) and agenda of churches and religous communities determined for public is conducted,
d) official names of communities and their parts, denomination of streets and other public spaces, other geographical names as well as data on state map works including cadaster maps are stated; denomination of communities in other languages is treated by a special law, 6)
e) chronicles of communities are written. Possible other-language wording is translation from the state language.

(4) Legal and public organs and organizations established by them are obligated to use the state language in all information systems and in mutual contacts.

(5) Written presentations of citizens determined for public and legal organs are presented in the state language.

(6) Each citizen of the Slovak Republic has the right to free adjustment of his name 7) and surname into Slovak spelling form.

Usage of the state language in schools

(1) Learning of the state language is obligatory at all primary and secondary schools. Other than the state language is the instructional language and examining language to extent determined by special regulations. 8)

(2) Pedagogical workers at all schools and in school facilities on the territory of the Slovak Republic with the exception of foreign pedagogues and lecturers are obliged to speak and use the state language in word and in writing.

(3) The entire pedagogical documentation is conducted in the state language.

(4) Textbooks and instructional texts used in the education process in the Slovak Republic are published in the state language besides textbooks and instructional texts for study in the language of national minorities, ethnic groups and other foreign languages. Their publishing and use is treated by special regulations. 9)

(5) Provisions of para 1, 2 and 4 do not refer to usage of the state language in study at universities, in study of other languages or in education in other than the state language 8) nor for using textbooks and instructional texts in study at universities.

Usage of the state language in mass information media at cultural events and public gatherings

(1) Broadcasting on radio and television is performed in the state language on the whole territory of the Slovak Republic. Exceptions are

a) other language radio programmes and foreign language television programmes consisting of audiovisual works and other
sound and pictorial recordings with subtitles in the state language or otherwise fulfilling the requirement of basic understandability from the point of view of the state language,
b) foreign language broadcasting of Slovak radio for foreign countries, television and radio language courses and programmes with similar orientation,
c) music programmes with original texts.

Broadcasting in languages of national minorities and ethnic groups are treated by special regulations. 10)

(2) Other language audiovisual works determined for children up to 12 years must be dubbed into the state language.

(3) Operators of radio and television broadcasting, announcers, moderators and editors are obligated to use the state languagge in broadcasting.

(4) Broadcasting of regional or local stations, radio stations and radio facilities is performed, in principle, in the state language. Other languages may be used before a particular programme is broadcast in the state language.

(5) Periodical and non-periodical publications are published in the state language. Publishing of different language print is treated by the special regulation, 11)

(6) Occasional print determined for public, catalogues of galleries and museums, libraries, cinema, theatre, concert and other cultural event programmes are published in the state language. In case of need, they may contain translations into different languages.

(7) Cultural and educational events are performed in the state language, or in another language if they fulfill the requirement of basic understandability from the point of view of the state language. The exception is formed by cultural events of national minorities, ethnic groups, foreign artists appearing as guests and music works with original texts. Accompanying presentation of programmes will first be expressed in the state language.

(8) Each participant of a gathering or lecture on the territory of the Slovak Republic has the right to present his speech in the state language.

Usage of the state language in armed forces, in armed corps and in fire corps

(1) The state language is used in official relations in the Army of the Slovak Republic, in the forces of the Home Office of the Slovak Republic, in the Police Corps, in the Slovak Information Service, in the Corps of prison and justice guard of the Slovak Republic, in Railway Police of the Slovak Republic and in communal ? police.

(2) The entire agenda and documentation of armed forces, armed security corps, other armed corps and fire corps is carried in the state language.

(3) Provision of para. 1 does not refer to air forces during flight operation and on international activities of armed corps.

Usage of the state language in court and administrative proceedings

(1) Mutual contact of courts with citizens, court proceedings, administrative proceedings, decisions and minutes from courts and administrative organs are carried and published in the state language.

(2) Rights of persons belonging to national minorities and ethnic groups or rights of foreigners who does not speak the state language, following from special regulations 12) remain untouched.

Usage of the state language in economy, services and health system

(1) In the interest of the consumer, the usage of the state language is obligatory in marking the contents of domestic or imported goods, in instructions for usage of goods, especially groceries and medicaments, in guarantee conditions and other information for consumers. 13)

(2) Written legal acts in public and legal relation or in similar labour relations are made in the state language.

(3) Finance and technical documentation, Slovak technical standards, statutes of associations, groups, political parties, political movements and trade companies are made in the state language.

(4) The entire agenda of health facilities is made in the state language. Contacts of health personnel with patients is usually made in the state language; if a citizen or foreigner does not speak the state language, also in the language in which it is possible to communicate with the patient.

(5) In proceedings before public and legal bodies on contracts treating binding relations, only wording in the state language is acknowledged.

(6) All notices (signs), advertisements and announcements determined for informing the public, especially in shops, at sports centres, in pubs, in streets, along roads and above them, at airports, in bus stations and railway stations, in rail wagons and in mass transport vehicles must be stated in the state language. They may be translated into other languages, but different language texts follow after the equally large text in the state language.

Supervision
The Ministry of Culture supervises over the keeping of duties following from this law. If it finds out any shortcomings, it warns legal entities and physical persons, in which activities the shortcomings have been found out, and it is authorized to require removal of the anti-legal state.

Common and temporary provisions

(1) Usage of common other languages names, special concepts or denominations of new facts, on which there is not so far a proper equivalent expression, is not touched by this law.

The National Council of the Slovak Republic, in view of the fact that the Matica slovenská has historically proved to be a significant establishment of the Slovak nation in the areas of cultural, social and scientific activities, has adopted the following law:

Basic provision

(1) Matica slovenská is a legal and public establishment.

(2) Matica slovenská is a legal entity.

(3) The seat of the Matica slovenská is in Martin.

Tasks of the Matica slovenská

(1) Tasks entrusted to the Matica slovenská by the state are to especially:

a) strengthen Slovak patriotism,
b) deepen the respect of citizens for Slovak statehood,
c) obtain significant Slovak documents; further assemble, process, keep, protect and make accessible, maintain, cultivate and present national cultural heritage,
d) undertake basic Slovak research,
e) share in the development of local and regional culture,
f) especially influence young people concerning national, moral and democratic values,
g) increase national awareness in the regions of the Slovak Republic which are multilingual,
h) strengthen relations between cultures of citizens who claim to be national minorities and ethnic groups on the territory of the Slovak Republic with the Slovak national culture,
i) take care to maintain national awareness of Slovak countrymen living abroad,
j) associate bring together creators and supporters of Slovak culture and science all over the world,
k) support promotion of the Slovak Republic through information and cultural centres formed abroad,
l) develop contacts with European and world organizations on issues of culture, national identity, spiritual life and the protection of universal values,
m) establish at home and abroad foundations and funds for support in the national and cultural life of Slovaks and for evaluating the most significant creators in certain artistic areas,
n) cooperate with state organs and territorial self-administration organs in developing culture and society,
o) issue original Slovak art productions, scientific work and promotion material,
p) cooperate in the creation of schoolbooks and textbooks in some social science subjects for basic and grammar schools based mandates of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic.

(2) Other tasks of the Matica slovenská should follow from the activities of its organs (§ 4 and 5).

Establishments performing tasks committed to the Matica slovenská by the State

(1) The Matica slovenská will cooperates and help effectuate fulfilling of tasks of the state in the areas of culture and science. These tasks are especially fulfilled by the following organizations:

a) Slovak National Library in Matica slovenská,
b) National cultural monuments,
c) Slovak Literary Institute and Slovak Historical Institute,
d) Centre for National Relations of Matica slovenská,
e) National Museum of Matica slovenská,
f) Information and cultural centres of Matica slovenská abroad,
g) Regional centres of Matica slovenská.

(2) The Slovak National Library of Matica slovenská 1) is a legal entity. Its founding document will be issued by the chairman of the Matica slovenská after it has been agreed upon with the Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The director is appointed and recalled by the chairman of the Matica slovenská.

(3) The National Cultural Monument acts as a central workplace for archives , 2) museum and biographical documentation, research and protection and support of Slovak culture and literature. It is a legal entity, the founder of which is Matica slovenská. The director is appointed and recalled by the chairman of the Matica slovenská.

(4) The Slovak Literary Institute and Slovak Historical Institute are scientific workplaces of Matica slovenská for basic and Slovak reserach. They are legal entities, the founder of which is Matica slovenská. The director is appointed and recalled by the chairman of the Matica slovenská.

(5) The National Relations Centre of Matica slovenská is the organizational component of Matica slovenská. It acts as a coordinator of research on and documentation of relations between the Slovak nation and national minorities living in the Slovak Republic as well as a consultative source concerning questions about this subject. The director is appointed and recalled by the chairman of Matica slovenská.

(6) The National Museum of Matica slovenská acts as a central workplace for relations and cooperation with Slovaks living outside the territory of the Slovak Republic, and for maintaining and developing their national identity and relations with the Slovak Republic. The head of the National Museum is appointed and recalled by the chairman of Matica slovenská.

(7) The information and cultural centres of Matica slovenská abroad are workplaces of Matica slovenská for informing about Slovakia, for promoting Slovakia around the world and for cooperating with Slovaks living abroad.

(8) The Regional centres of Matica slovenská are professional workplaces, which fulfill cultural, social and methodical aims towards the general public and towards the membership base of Matica slovenská on designated territory. They act as workplaces with legal subjectivity (Matica slovenská property) or without legal subjectivity (regional Matica slovenská workplaces). The directors of workplaces with legal subjectivity are appointed and recalled by the chairman of Matica slovenská.

Organization of Matica slovenská.

(1) Matica slovenská consists of

a) local, special interest and scientific departments of Matica slovenská (hereafter only “Department”),
b) the establishments stated in § 3,
c) common workplaces of Matica slovenská and legal entities established by the central organs of the state administration.

(2) The Department unites members of Matica slovenská and cooperates in fulfiling its tasks within communities, social interests and scientific disciplines. The Department is a legal entity; contractual transfers of the ownership of immovable property over one million Sk and contractual transfers of ownership of movable property over five million Sk are subjects requiring of the prior permission of Matica slovenská. Contingent disputes among departments are mutually resolved and decided upon by organs of Matica slovenská.

(3) Common workplaces of Matica slovenská are service workplaces that help to fulfill tasks of Matica slovenská.

(4) Matica slovenská may also establish and form other legal entities and constitute workplaces without legal subjectivity for fulfilling tasks which are assigned to it under this law.

(5) Details on the activities of organizational sections, establishments and common workplaces of Matica slovenská, their positions and relations among them are handled by the statutes of Matica slovenská.

Organs of Matica slovenská

(1) Organs of Matica slovenská are the

a) general assembly of Matica slovenská (hereafter only “general assembly”),
b) Board of Matica slovenská,
c) chairman of Matica slovenská,
d) supervisory board of Matica slovenská.

(2) The General Assembly is the highest organ of Matica slovenská and is formed by delegates from the individual departments and workplaces of Matica slovenská designated according to the statutes of Matica slovenská, as well as members of the Board of Matica slovenská. The General Assembly´s specific authority includes:

a) discussing basic questions concerning the direction and activities of Matica slovenská,
b) approving statutes of Matica slovenská and their amendments,
c) election and recalling of the Board of Matica slovenská,
d) election and recalling of the chairman of Matica slovenská,
e) approving the financial rules of Matica slovenská.

(3) The Board of Matica slovenská is the highest executive organ of Matica slovenská. The Board of Matica slovenská´s specific authority includes:

a) deciding on the establishment or foundation of an organization sections, a workplace or a department of Matica slovenská,
b) deciding on establishment or foundation of legal entities, in which the only or majority founder or organizer is Matica slovenská,
c) calling the general assembly,
d) discussing and approving reports on the finances and budget of Matica slovenská.

(4) The chairman of Matica slovenská is a statutory organ of Matica slovenská, who, as the highest representative of Matica slovenská, represents Matica slovenská in public and heads the Board of Matica slovenská. The management and coordination of all the activities of Matica slovenská and running the general assembly belong among his primary duties. The chairman of Matica slovenská is substituted for an administrator of Matica slovenská who is authorized to manage and coordinate the activities of the subjects given under § 4 para 1 letter b) and c). Selection of the chairman of Matica slovenská is determined by election.

(5) The supervisory board of Matica slovenská is the highest supervisory body of Matica slovenská. Two thirds of its members (including the chairman) elect the general assembly. One third of its members are composed of by representatives of the state who are appointed and recalled by the Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic.

(6) Details on positions, authority, and the structure and origin of the organs of Matica slovenská are handled by the statutes of Matica slovenská.

Economics and financing of Matica slovenská

(1) Matica slovenská manages

a) its own property
b) the property of the state.

(2) Its own property is represented by money, valuables, other movable and immovable things as well as property rights and values appraisable with money, which may serve to fulfill tasks of Matica slovenská according to its nature.

(3) A special regulation refers to handling the property of the state. 3)

(4) Subsidies and earmarked subsidies are presented to Matica slovenská for fulfilling its tasks from the state budget of the Slovak Republic (§ 2 para 1). Matica slovenská manages these subsidies according to special regulations. 4)

(5) Matica slovenská may perform entrepreneurial activities with its own property as a rule by means of trade companies, which it has established. Profits from the entrepreneurial activities are used for fulfilling its tasks.

Common provision
Organs of Matica slovenská, the organizational sections of Matica slovenská, the workplaces of Matica slovenská and the departments of Matica slovenská established on the date of this law become effective and are regarded as if they have been established according to this law.

Repeal Provision
Law of the Slovak National Council No. 196/1991 on Matica slovenská is being repealed.

Effectiveness

This law comes into effect on the date of its promulgation.

Kováč in his own hand

Ivan Gašparovič in his own hand

Vladimír Mečiar in his own hand

(2) All heads of public and legal organs and other legal entities and physical persons are responsible for keeping the provisions of this law (§ 10 para. 1).

(3) Costs of all adjustments of information tables, names and other texts according to this law are covered by particular offices and other legal entities and physical persons. These adjustments will be done up to one year from the day of effectivity of this law.

(4) The state language is for purposes of § 2 para. 1 letter a) and b), § 3 para. 1, 2 and para. 3 letter a), c), d) and e), § 4, § 5 para. 5 and 8, § 6 para. 2 and § 8 para. 1 to 5 understood to be the Slovak language in its codified form (§ 2 para. 2).

Provisions of repeal
Law of the Slovak National Council No. 428/1990 Coll. on the official language in the Slovak Republic will be repealed.

This law comes into effect on January 1, 1996 with the exception of

§ 10, which comes into effect on January 1, 1997.

Michal Kováč in his own hand

Ivan Gašparovič in his own hand

Vladimír Mečiar in his own hand