Menšinové jazyky a topografická označení v historii Československa
Minority Languages and Topographical Designations throughout the History of Czechoslovakia

Summary/Abstract: The status of minorities is a sensitive issue that poses a threat to peace in many regions, and it was so also in the past of the Czech lands. The most complicated issues arise if the majority and a minority in one state differ in their languages, where a large number of various particular problems occur which have to be resolved both legally and in practice, whereas they are usually terribly politicised. Here, most attention is given to a particular problem which is the use of minority languages in public signage. It seems to be a marginal issue, however, since the era of the Monarchy public signs have been of a special symbolic importance. Nevertheless, in practice it is difficult to control them; thus, the use of the state or minority language may cause irritation and lead to the damage or destruction of signs. Such incidents were plentiful at the end of the Monarchy era and at the time of inter-war Czechoslovakia, but they also came about at the time of the communist regime, and also in the Teschen Region (Těšínsko) after 1989.

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