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Language Czech is one of the Western Slavonic languages, distinguished from its neighbours (like Polish) by a series of diacritical marks introduced by the religious reformer Jan Hus in about 1410, including háceks (little hooks), which change the pronunciation of letters. Under Hapsburg rule (1620-1918), Czech was firmly suppressed; the language was revived as part of the nationalist movement in the nineteenth century. Slightly less daunting than it looks, almost all Czech words are stressed on the first syllable. The most difficult sound is the ‘r’ with the hácek above it (pronounced ‘rzh’) – which even Czech children have to be taught to pronounce correctly. English is rapidly becoming the second language, especially among the younger generation, and the majority of tourist services will have at least one English speaker on the staff. The older generation will be more likely to speak German. Moments of communication breakdown will arise from time to time but they will always be good-humoured. Problems can arise in Prague with the shortening of ‘ano’ (yes) to ‘no’. Phrases Yes - Ano (often shortened to ‘No’) No - Ne Hello - Dobrý den Goodbye - Na shledanou Please - Prosím Thank you - Dekuji My name is … - Mé jméno je … How are you? - Jak se máte? I’m quite well - Jde to I feel ill - Je mi spatne How much does it cost? - Kolik to stojí? Do you speak English? - Mluvíte anglicky? I don’t understand - Nerozumím Where is … ? - Kde je … ? Entrance - Vchod Exit - Vychod Danger / Warning! - Nebezpeci / Pozor! Open - Otevreno Closed - Zavreno Toilets - Záchod / WC Doctor - Lékar Hotel - Hotel Restaurant - Restaurace Beer - Pivo Wine - Víno Menu - Listek Today - Dnes Tomorrow - Vcera Monday - Pondelí Tuesday - Úterý Wednesday - Streda Thursday - Ctvrtek Friday - Pátek Saturday - Sibita Sunday - Nedele One - Jeden Two - Dva Three - Tri Four - Ctyri Five - Pet Six - Sest Seven - Sedm Eight - Osm Nine - Devet Ten - Deset Twenty - Dvacet Thirty - Tricet Forty - Ctyricet Fifty - Padesát Sixty - Sedesát Seventy - Sedmdesát Eighty - Osmdesát Ninety - Devadesát One Hundred - Sto One Thousand - Tisíc |
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