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Bird song is variable on several levels. In addition to invariable species-specific song traits, there may be some spatial variability within a species, usually resulting in the development of dialect. Dialect may convey relation to particular population. Several dialects of Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) have been described from populations occupying Western Europe and Poland. The aim of this study was to describe dialects used by males from three populations in Southwest Slovakia and to find out whether they belong to any of the already described dialect groups. In breeding period 2015, spontaneous male songs were recorded at the locality Levice (n = 12), Kuchyňa (n = 9) and Vrádište (n = 6). Qualitative analysis of final song phrases showed that males could not be assigned to any dialect group described before. For this reason, a two new dialect patterns (S1 in Levice and Vrádište, S2 in Kuchyňa) were described. These patterns were shared by all the recorded singing males at the locality. According to the initial song phrase, eight different song types were found, two of which were used at the first, two at the second and three at the third locality. One song type was present at all three localities. Most males combined at maximum two different song types, one of which was sung most frequently. The songs from different populations show no differences in any frequency traits. Correlation analysis confirmed that songs within the population are more similar than songs among populations.

The article analyses phonetic (pronunciation-related) inquiries delivered by e-mail to the language consulting centre of the Institute of the Czech Language during the years 1999-2010. These questions are much less numerous than, for example, those concerning orthography, yet they are often noteworthy. The paper points out the specific traits of these questions. The inquiries concerning the prosodic level of the language are discussed. On the segmental level, attention is devoted to the pronunciation of words of Czech origin (pronunciation of sound groups, as well as the orthophonic realization of the individual sounds). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]