On the Macedonian Literary Language

by Blaže Koneski

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Description

On the Macedonian Literary Language (За македонскиот литературен јазик) by Blaže Koneski, published in 1952, is a collection of articles discussing the development of the Macedonian literary language after the country's liberation.

The book's introduction notes that despite intense creative work in the language, little was written on linguistic issues due to a lack of prepared scholars. Koneski believes the articles in this collection are a unique written record of key moments in the language's development. He asserts that the Macedonian literary language is in a phase of full formation, and a poetic language has already been created.

Koneski argues that the language will be fully standardized more quickly than Serbian or Bulgarian and stresses the need to prevent destructive influences by protecting its established features from conflicting elements. He advocates for basing the language's structure on the "radical features" of the central dialects. The book's ultimate goal is to help create a structured and expressive language that serves as a true symbol of the Macedonian nation.

About the Author

Author

Blaže Koneski(1921 - 1993)

Blaže Koneski was a Macedonian poet, writer, translator, and linguist, widely regarded as a key figure in the standardization of the modern Macedonian language. Born in Nebregovo, near Prilep (then in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes), he graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade in 1941. Koneski played a pivotal role in codifying the Macedonian literary language post-WWII, serving as a leading member of the commission for language standardization.

He co-authored the seminal "Macedonian Orthography" (1950) with Krum Tošev, establishing spelling rules for the language. Koneski was a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, where he also served as dean, and was the first president of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU). His scholarly work focused on Macedonian phonology, grammar, and literature, producing numerous essays, textbooks, and studies. As a poet, he published influential collections like Mostot (1945) and Zemjata i ljubovta (1950), blending modernist and folk elements.

Koneski also translated works by Shakespeare, Goethe, and Pushkin into Macedonian, enriching its literary tradition. His contributions earned him recognition as a cornerstone of Macedonian cultural identity.