AboutSam Expertise I can answer questions about the country`s history, culture, politics, economy, geography. I speak fluent Slovak. If you are planning a visit, I can recommend the places to see - especially the nature in Slovakia is worth it.
Experience I am a Slovak which makes me an expert in the language and culture. I am also a traveller so I know Slovakia quite well. I will do anything to find out the answer to your question.
Question I will be a grandmother soon (1st time!) and would like to know what Grandmothers are called in Slovakia. My grandparents emigrated from there in the early 1900's.
Answer Hello Cathe,
first of all, congratulations on becoming a grandmother! I bet you can't wait for the little one :-)
There are several terms for a grandmother, depending on the location and of course family traditions. The most common one is "babka" (both As are pronounced as a Briton would pronounce the A in 'cat'). This word, however, does not express much closeness or familiarity (and can also refer to any old woman, even derogatively), so kids often call their grannies "babicka" (pronounced babitchka). Come to think of it, this is quite unfortunate in an English-speaking country, with the possibility of someone picking just the middle of the word...
"Babicka" can be shorthened though to "babi" (again, not pronounced as "baby", but as bah-bee). This is kind of cute and does express good relationship. Simple to pronounce, too, I guess.
There is one more alternative: "starka". This is not as common as the above, but the term also expresses a close and good relationship with the grandma. Pronounced star-kaa (rolled R, long A at the end).
I hope the baby and the mom are fine, and that you will develop a close relationship whichever way he/she addresses you :-)
