The Cultural Significance of Latin in the Debate over Its Position in Secondary Education in the First Czechoslovak Republic

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Autor/ Author: Annamária Adamčíková 

In: Kultúrne dejiny

ISSN: 1338-2209 (Print)

ISSN: 2989–3313 (Online)

Ročník/ Volume: 17

Číslo/ Issue: Supplement

Strany/ Page Range: 196-219

Rok vydania/ Publication Year: 2026

Jazyk/ Language: Slovak

Vydavateľ/ Publisher: VERBUM – vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku

Abstrakt/ Abstract: During the First Czechoslovak Republic, discussions on secondary-school reform also addressed the place, role, and significance of Latin in secondary education. Although science-oriented subjects and modern languages were gaining importance, this was not reflected in the curriculum. Many critics stressed the need to modernise schooling and respond to contemporary educational demands. Latin, in particular, became a target of criticism. Its opponents pointed to its insufficiently justified relevance to life and lack of practical significance. They argued that the tasks assigned to Latin — formal education and cultural significance — could be transferred to other subjects. Defenders of Latin therefore sought to justify its role and legitimacy in secondary-school teaching. This paper uses discourse analysis to show how Latin was perceived in terms of its cultural significance for secondary education. It primarily presents the arguments of the respective sides, placing them in context, analysing, comparing, and interpreting them. The article shows that the value of ancient culture itself was not questioned. At the same time, it may help to identify what place ancient culture and humanities education should have in schools today.

Kľúčové slová/ Keywords: Latin language, Scool Reform, Grammar School, Czechoslovakia, Cultural Significance.

Citácia/ How to cite:
ADAMČÍKOVÁ, Annamária, 2026. Kultúrny význam latinčiny v spore o jej postavenie v stredoškolskom vzdelávaní v 1. ČSR. Kultúrne dejiny. Online. Roč. 17, č. Supplement, s. 196-219. ISSN 1338-2209 (Print). ISSN 2989–3313 (Online). Dostupné na:

Toto dielo je publikované pod/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.