(Secularization Tendencies in Slovak Lexis)

Abstract: Secularizing tendencies in Slovak lexis in the sense of lightening or loosening the form in favour of expanding the vocabulary are manifested by the influence of the relaxation of the political situation also in their use in everyday communication. There are different opinions on this phenomenon, both from the side of the churches and from the side of experts, including linguists. By releasing religious lexis in the sense of expanding its meaning, the extreme ecclesiastical-religious symptomatology is lost and the words enter various social strata, individual and social consciousness, because they are publicly and freely spoken about (celibacy, Vatican, enclitics, etc.).
The use of religious terms in contemporary linguistic practice in Slovakia is clarified by a research probe, which is twofold: research in the Slovak National Corpus and questionnaire research. Specific examples of ecclesiastical and religious terms are used to show how they are perceived by three generations. The release, transfer or borrowing of forms to name common parts of life is regular; the fate of religious terms is similar to the fate of other lexis. It is the power of denotatives that causes religious terms to be used frequently and without respect in common parlance, with the younger generation generally unaware of the word‘s original meaning or affiliation to religious terminology. There is a socialization of religious lexis – the extreme religious-religious connotation is being lost, they are being brought to places where they were taboo.

Author: Imrichová, Mária

DOI: 10.17846/CL.2025.18.2.218-229

Publication order reference: Doc. PaedDr. Mária Imrichová, PhD., univ. prof.; University of Presov, Faculty of Arts, Institute of Translation and Interpreting Studies, Ul. 17. novembra 1, SK-080 01 Prešov, Slovakia; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7132-3542

Source: Konštantínove listy, 2025, vol.: 18, issue: 2, pages: 218-229 (PDF file)

Keywords: SECULARIZATION IN LANGUAGE, SECULARIZATION, BIBLICISM, CHURCH TERM, EVANGELIZATION

Language: SLOVAK

Recommended Citation:
Imrichová, Mária. 2025. Sekularizačné tendencie v slovenskej lexike (Secularization Tendencies in Slovak Lexis). In Konštantínove listy [Constantine’s Letters] 18/2, 218-229.