Slovak is spoken in Slovakia and has three main dialects (western, middle, and eastern Slovak). Slovak is characterized by 29 consonants, many combinations of consonant clusters, 11 vowels, four diphthongs, and a transparent writing system based on Latin script. There are many studies of children’s acquisition of Slovak. Researchers have focused on children with speech sound disorders, cleft lip and palate, late talkers, and children with developmental language disorders. Common speech assessments and analyses involve evaluating intelligibility, articulation, phonetic repertoires, phonological processes and awareness, and calculation of the percentage of consonants and vowels correct (PCC and PVC). Common interventions include articulation and phonological therapies and naturalistic early stimulation of sound acquisition.

Key words:
Slovak, multilingual, communication, speech, language, children’s development, interdisciplinary, international communities, assessment, intervention

Book chapter:
Buntová, D. & Oravkinová Z. (2025). Slovak speech development. In S. McLeod (Ed.). The Oxford handbook of speech development in languages of the world. Oxford University Press.

Language overview presentation:

• Buntová, D. & Oravkinová Z. (2024). Slovak: Multilingual children’s speech development. Charles Sturt University, Australia. https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech/languages
• Video: Slovak [Slovak version] – Children’s Speech Development
• Video: Slovak [English version] – Children’s Speech Development
• PowerPoint: Slovak [Slovak version] – Children’s Speech Development (pdf)
• PowerPoint: Slovak [English version] – Children’s Speech Development (pdf)

This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals