Queries on Czech language usage

[Geoffrey Chew]

Is reliable information on the following two features of late-19th-century
Czech texts available, and if so where?

(1) Abstract nouns nowadays ending in -ost appear as ost' (hacek-t at the
end): is this simply an earlier form (if so, was it universal, and when
was it replaced by the current form?) or has it some distinct meaning or
tone?

(2) Feminine surnames distinguish between forms ending in -ova (short a,
possessive adjective as in modern street names) and -ová (long a, normal
adjectival form), apparently to distinguish between unmarried (-ova) and
married (-ová) women.  Is this a firm distinction at the time?  When was
it superseded by the modern practice with -ová (or other adjectival
endings in á, e.g. Krásná) for all women?

 Geoffrey Chew
 Music Department, Royal Holloway, University of London
 Internet: chew at sun.rhul.ac.uk

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