| Anton Bernolák | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 October 1762 Slanica near Námestovo |
| Died | 15 January 1813 Nové Zámky, Slovakia |
| Occupation | Priest, official, linguist |
| Known for | codified the first Slovak language standard |
Anton Bernolák (1 October 1762 in Slanica (a now inundated village near Námestovo – 15 January 1813 in Nové Zámky) was a Slovak linguist and Catholic priest and the author of the first Slovak language standard.
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He was born to a lower noble family in Orava (region). He studied at a grammar school (gymnasium) in Ružomberok 1772-76, and later in Trnava and Vienna and graduated in theology at the general seminary in Preßburg in 1787. In the very same year, he codified the first Slovak language standard, which he based on western Slovak dialects spoken around Trnava, with some elements from the central dialects. The language, called bernolákovčina, however, wasn't accepted as a national standard language, although was a milestone in the way to the formation of modern Slovak nation. In 1787-91 he was a curate in Bernolákovo, in 1791-97 a secretary in the archbishoprical vicar's office in Trnava and from 1797 until his death in 1813 a priest in Nové Zámky.
His language was the basis for activities of the Slovenské učené tovarišstvo (Slovak Educated Brotherhood), established in 1792 in Trnava and for the movement of Bernolák's followers, which lasted three generations.