INNOVATIONS OF UKRAINIAN SPELLING AND MEDICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

The article highlights the issue of applying linguistic innovations reflected in the new edition (2019) of the Ukrainian Orthography, in light of the completion of the transitional period for its implementation this year. The scholarly investigation aims to outline the main factors behind the emergence of changes in linguistic norms, facilitate the understanding of the principles of language legislation at the current stage of Ukrainian language development, and clarify specific norms of the orthographic document. The authors aim to emphasize the pragmatic aspect of implementing the new provisions of the current Orthography in the system of higher specialized education, particularly through examples of the representation of these orthographic norms in medical discourse.The periodic review, refinement, and updating of the orthographic code as a standard of written literary language, as opposed to non-codified oral speech, is considered a natural process associated with the regulation of language. The normative-legal basis for the appearance of the new edition of the Orthography involved the following achievements of leading institutions: the development of the Orthography by the Ukrainian National Orthography Commission, which included renowned scholars from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and higher education institutions from all regions of the country, in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine directive (2015, No. 416); public discussions of the proposed changes, which received over three thousand suggestions (August-September 2018); approvals by the Board of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (October 2018); the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine resolution “On the Issue of Ukrainian Orthography” (No. 437 of May 22, 2019), which endorsed the Orthography; the publication of the text of the Ukrainian Orthography in its new edition on the official websites of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (June 3, 2019); and the subsequent enactment of the document. The Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language” (July 16, 2019) introduces for the first time the concept of “Orthography” into the legal field concerning adherence to state language standards. This is linked to the establishment of the National Commission on State Language Standards and the institution of the Commissioner for the Protection of the Ukrainian Language as the state language, aligning with the Strategy for Promoting the Ukrainian Language Until 2030, “Strong Language – Successful State” (2019). The practical implementation of Orthography norms primarily pertains to the educational process and professional discourse.