How to Use Reported Speech in Slovak: A Guide for English Speakers

Understanding Reported Speech in Slovak

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. In Slovak, reported speech involves changes in verb tenses, pronouns, and sometimes word order, similar to English but with its own unique rules.

Direct vs Indirect Speech

Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, usually enclosed in quotation marks. For example:
"Povedal: 'Prídem zajtra.'" (He said, 'I will come tomorrow.')

Indirect speech reports what was said without quoting exactly:
"Povedal, že príde zajtra." (He said that he will come tomorrow.)

Changes in Verb Tenses

When converting direct speech to reported speech in Slovak, verb tenses often shift to reflect the change in perspective. Here are common changes:

• Present tense changes to past tense: "Pracujem" → "pracoval" (I work → he worked)
• Future tense changes to conditional or past future: "Prídem" → "prišiel by som" (I will come → he would come)
• Past tense usually remains past tense but may change aspect or form depending on context

Using Conjunctions in Reported Speech

Slovak often uses conjunctions like že (that) to introduce reported clauses. For example:
"Povedal, že príde." (He said that he will come.)
Sometimes, the conjunction can be omitted in informal speech.

Pronoun Changes

Pronouns in reported speech change to match the perspective of the reporter. For example:
Direct: "Ja som unavený." (I am tired.)
Reported: "Povedal, že je unavený." (He said that he is tired.)

Examples of Reported Speech in Slovak

• Direct: "Mám rád kávu." → Reported: "Povedal, že má rád kávu." (He said he likes coffee.)
• Direct: "Budem doma o 5." → Reported: "Povedal, že bude doma o 5." (He said he will be home at 5.)
• Direct: "Neviem to." → Reported: "Povedal, že to nevie." (He said he doesn't know it.)

Common Verbs Used to Introduce Reported Speech

In Slovak, verbs like povedať (to say), tvrdíť (to claim), spýtať sa (to ask) are commonly used to introduce reported speech.

• Povedal, že... (He said that...)
• Tvrdil, že... (He claimed that...)
• Spýtal sa, či... (He asked if...)

Practice Tips for English Speakers Learning Slovak Reported Speech

To master reported speech in Slovak, practice by converting direct quotes into indirect speech, paying attention to verb tense changes and pronoun adjustments. Listening to native speakers and reading Slovak texts can also help internalize the patterns.