Conceptual formulation of neologisms in various dictionaries and primary school Macedonian language course textbooks

Abstract

The paper analyses the conceptual formulation of neologisms in various dictionaries of Macedonian language, other Slavic and non-Slavic languages, as well as in primary school Macedonian language textbooks, by putting special emphasis on the role of, both, time criterion, i.e. the period of time in which a lexical unit is present in the active lexicon of the speakers, and lexicographic criterion, i.e. the presence of a given lexical unit in the ʺReÄnik na makedonskiot jazik so srpskohrvatski tolkuvanjaʺ – RMJ [Dictionary of Macedonian Language with Serbo-Croatian Interpretations] and in the ʺTolkoven reÄnik na makedonskiot jazikʺ – TRMJ [Monolingual Dictionary of Macedonian Language]. The results of the analysis convey that in a sufficient number of analysed dictionaries, the various conceptual formulations of the term neologism are compatible, but on account of being too general, they are lacking precision, as a result of which it is very difficult to determine what the term neologism should signify. In the analysed Macedonian language textbooks there is a noticeable degree of inaccuracy, incompatibility and inconsistency which affects the students’ understanding and assimilation of this term and its further treatment in the language. The offered classification of neologisms proves to be extremely useful for linguists, teachers and students.