Publication Details

Abstract

The paper offers a semantic analysis of the word Janisary“, which has recently, due to new attempts at a definition of of nation and its enemies, has shifted from the periphery of Slovak language to the centre of the discourse. Inspired by Wittgenstein, the author calls for a more appropriate understanding of the word, which, in his view, should not refer only to „an enemy of the nation“, as it embodies also other meanings, such as heterodoxy etc.. The author refers to „personal correctness“ movement, which could be inspirative for our responses to the invasion of such words into Slovak language in order to avoid its transformation into a sort of „newspeak“.