The designation "hoststvo" has brought the readers out of their chairs, or How it is with the "fouling" of Czech in relation to the natural development of the language

Language evolves

As the philosopher Tomáš Koblížek says: "Language is a never-ending evolution, which is determined by the use of words in ever new situations where we adapt our language. And I agree with him completely ." Language is meant to reflect perceived reality and help us express ourselves as accurately as possible. What seems like a novelty today may be a perfectly normal part of our speech in a few years.

Let's look at some concrete examples. Thirty years ago, few would have imagined that we would use words like googlit or selfie. And today? These words are part of everyday language and hardly anyone thinks twice about them. They have become a natural part of our digital communication. Language is simply adapting to new technologies and needs, just as it is now adapting to new social contexts. After all, it wasn't that long ago that people used to call female doctors Mrs. Doctor.

Linguist Karel Oliva claims that the word hoststvo, for example, is not part of the common vocabulary and is not formed according to the rules of Czech word formation, but the question remains whether this is really relevant. Language is not a closed system full of fixed rules that we should or should not transgress. If we always strictly followed the rules, our language would not be as rich and varied as we know it today.

And yes, feasting is not yet a term we hear in everyday speech, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its place in it. Words and concepts that seem unusual or unnatural at first glance often reflect the deeper needs of a particular group of people who are trying to more accurately express their identity and experience. For many people, especially those who do not identify with traditional gender categories, language is a key tool for expressing their sense of self. Avoiding strict masculine and feminine forms is a way to adopt words that are not restrictive, but instead allow for a freer expression of one's identity.

When we think about it more deeply, language has always acted as a tool that helps us not only to express our thoughts and feelings, but also to connect us to others. So if a certain group of people feel that traditional expressions are not sufficient or accurate for them, we should not ignore it. Just because someone prefers to use a word doesn't mean that others are forced to start using it immediately. Rather, we should respect that for some people the term has deep meaning and value.

Moreover, such innovations can show us how language is able to respond to changing social and cultural conditions. Expressions that allow us to cross the boundaries between binary categories, such as masculine and feminine, are thus not just a matter of grammar. They are about creating space for those who have not found their place in traditional linguistic norms.

Research, like that of linguist Vit Kolko, shows that non-binary people perceive the use of words only in the masculine and feminine as limiting. Some even feel excluded from the language. But language should serve everyone, not just the majority. It is also interesting that criticism of such words is only coming now, at a time when there is more talk about inclusion and identity. Yet we have been using similar forms such as bird, pupil or citizen without any problems for decades, if not hundreds of years. So what is the problem? Isn't it more that critics of the LGBTQ+ community are grasping at every little thing just to have an excuse to argue?

After all, no one is saying that words like host or audience must be used mandatorily in all contexts. But if they help someone better express their identity and perception of the world, why should we reject them out of hand? Changes in language are natural and I think we should be more open to them. It is precisely because of these changes that we can express ourselves as accurately and authentically as possible. Language is a living organism that is constantly evolving - and that is only good.