Hacek

/ˈhɑːtʃɛk/ noun

Definition

A small curved mark (ˇ) placed above a letter to change its pronunciation, used in languages like Czech, Slovak, and Polish.

Etymology

From Czech háček, literally meaning 'little hook' (from hák, hook), referring to the shape of the diacritical mark that resembles a small curved hook.

Kelly Says

This tiny mark is crucial for pronouncing Czech words correctly—for instance, č makes the 'ch' sound in 'church,' so without the hacek, readers would mispronounce words like 'Čeština' (the Czech language).

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