New Slovakian language law goes too far

An amendment to Slovakia's language law has come into force which stipulates fines of up to 5,000 euros for failing to use the Slovakian language. Hungarian politicians view it as an attack on the Hungarian minority in the country as well as on their language. The liberal daily Sme also voices concerns: "Politicians in the government maintain the language law is meant to ensure that Slovaks living in the south of the country [primarily home to the Hungarian minority] also receive public information in Slovakian, and that the language is used in public offices. That's all fine and good. ... But contrary to common sense the law also interferes with relations between people in a way unprecedented in modern Europe. Even more absurd than the demand that the [Hungarian] newspaper Új Szó write all geographic names in Slovakian is the request that members of the Hungarian minorty talk Slovakian among themselves. How is that supposed to help matters?"

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