The Orthographic Conventions of Jordan Hadži Konstantinov-Džinot and some of his Contemporaries

Abstract

The evolution of the Macedonian language during the 19th century saw significant changes in orthography, particularly in the latter half of the century. During this period, there was a noticeable shift towards simplifying the alphabet and the orthographic principles. The literature from the 19th century reflects diverse perspectives on the alphabet and orthographic rules, rooted in the difference in the ideas about the form of the written language. Consequently, a unified form and codification remained elusive.
Jordan Hadži Konstantinov-Džinot stands out as one of the pioneering figures in addressing the matter of the Macedonian written language, encompassing concerns related to orthography. This paper explores Džstands perspectives on modernizing and simplifying the alphabet and orthographic principles. Additionally, it delves into the practical implementation of these ideas within his texts of diverse types. Furthermore, Džperspe orthographic practices are presented in the paper, in regards to the practices of his contemporaries in both Macedonia and Bulgaria.