Abstract
The paper introduces a pilot study from ongoing ethnolinguistic research into the Czech concept of VÁNOCE (Christmas). It is placed in the context of the theory of cultural key words referring to the author's previous studies on the concepts of DOMOV (home, homeland) and POHODA (well-being, comfort, rest, peace) In the paper, the meaning of the concept of VÁNOCE is summarized in accordance with Czech monolingual dictionaries, the rituals and scenarios associated with the Christmas Eve are described using empirical research data, social discussions of Christmas (esp. of the baby Jesus) are anaylsed as well as xamples of the conceptualizations of Christmas in popular songs.
The paper also includes several remarks on the Christmas stereotyp in the Czech Sign Language.