Applicants for government jobs may have to take tests in the Slovak language before they get a work contract. "Conditions for admission need to include appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge of the national language, based on the study of prescribed language textbooks, and admission tests should also contain questions concerning the culture of the Slovak language," reads a draft bill on the state language that was prepared by the Culture Ministry. It submitted the draft for interdepartmental review on July 3.
According to the ministry, the new bill should address the problem of the use of the national language and eliminate violations of the Law on the National Language. The ministry further demands the introduction of a compulsory course of Slovak language culture and expert terminology at all kinds of schools.
According to the Culture Ministry’s proposal, all future employees of public and perhaps also private media, as well as teachers, should have their ability to communicate in proper Slovak tested. The ministry has requested tighter standards in using proper Slovak in advertising. Government departments should create terminological commissions to solve questions of terminology in concrete cases.
State-run organizations would have to regularly organize language culture and communication courses for their employees. The draft further suggests equipping computers used in central government departments with updated electronic language correction modules for text editors.
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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