Would someone tell me a few facts about words in Czech. My guide book has words, but no phonetic guide.

1. How would you say Hello and Goodbye in Czech?.
2. The travel agency Cedok - how is it pronounced??
3. Words with a v, like the name Pavla. Is the "v" like we say in victory or like the au in Paula?

I'm leaving Friday, and this is what I have (from the internet coupled with Rick Steves' guide).

Hello (formal): Dobrý den
Pronounced: DOH'-bree dehn'

Hello (casual): Ahoj
Pronounced: ah'hoy

Goodbye: Na shledanou
Pronounced: nah'SKLEH'-dah-now

I studied Czech a little.

Czech is really pronounced exactly like it is spelled, so that is the easy part. The issue is noticing the actual letters (meaning with a diacritical mark, which makes a different letter). The hacek (pronounced almost like hatcheck) over the c makes the difference in pronunciation which is very common. The hacek term has a hacek on it, actually That is the little v over the C you will notice in the spelling of Cedok and many other words. When that is over the c, it is pronounced like the ch in church (ie, chedock). That can also affect the pronunciation of an r, as in the composer name Dvorak, as well as z and s.

Maitom lists two hellos and one goodbye but there are some other informal versions (like one which sounds like cheech). Might as well use the formal one.

V is pronounced like a v, most consonants are pronounced the same as in English. For example, it is pronounced like a v in Vaclav Havel. However, many people don't pronounce his first name correctly as a c is pronounced like a ts in that case [vahts-lahf].

In that name, the v is pronounced like a v (Pavla). I'm sure there is a historical reason why it is that way in Czech (and similar in Bulgarian and Greek), but they do have the diphthong au in Czech which is pronounced more like you would expect (as in the word for car, auto).

There is a lot of information and all basic phrases and words and pronunciaton tips (and some audio) on www.locallingo.com, a very good site.

Thanks that clears up a lot.
I think the web site will be useful.

I am going to Prague next month.

I just hope I find enough people who speak some English to help me out.

In Germany, I have been amazed at how many people spoke at least some English. I have enough German skills (??) to ask for help! I can read a few signs as well.

The Prague locals spoke better English than I spoke Czech.

We were only in the touristy part of Prague and Cesky Krumlov, but there was absolutely no shortage of English being spoken. It would still be thoughtful to at least use a greeting and thank you in Czech. We actually found more of a language barrier in Bamberg and Regensburg in Germany. Have fun and don't worry, you should not have a problem.

Thanks for the reassurances.
We have a full plate already!
Oh well, we can rest later!!
Cesky Krumlov and two operas.