The Orthography Problems of First Names and Their Derivatives Cover Image

Pravopisné problémy rodných mien a ich derivátov
The Orthography Problems of First Names and Their Derivatives

Author(s): Iveta Valentová
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Lexis
Published by: Jazykovedný ústav Ľudovíta Štúra Slovenskej akadémie vied
Keywords: first name; forename; Christian name; official first name; hypocoristic name; foreign language equivalents; orthography

Summary/Abstract: The Slovak official anthroponymic system consists of two functional members - first name and surname. The choice and registration of the first name in Slovakia is regulated by law. In the past, it was possible to register only the so-called official form of the first name, which respected the pronunciation, spelling and grammar principles valid in standard Slovak. The list of these basic neutral first names contains the book Vyberte si meno pre svoje dieťa / Choose a name for your child (1998) by M. Majtán and M. Považaj. However, some of them were used in other forms than codified. In accordance with the applicable laws, foreign language first names and other foreign language equivalents of such first names, which already have a domesticated form, is now possible to register. The paper deals with the analysis of more obvious spelling problems of first names, which caused these changes and which resulted from registry records and language practice. These problems concern, in particular, the pronunciation of long and short vowels in already domesticated standard first names, the form their notations and the creation of diminutives and possessive adjectives from foreign first names and other foreign language equivalents. The author focuses especially on capitalization in first names.

  • Issue Year: 87/2022
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 62-88
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Slovak