Abstract. The present article examines the rhetorical and aesthetic doctrine of Alexander Teodorov-Balan as a foundation for the formation of modern Bulgarian linguistics. It analyzes his concept of language culture as a synthesis of scientific precision, aesthetic measure, and moral responsibility toward the word. The study traces the main principles of his linguistic philosophy – accuracy, purity, structure, and melody – which are interpreted as indicators of spiritual and cultural maturity. Particular emphasis is placed on Balan’s role in the codification of the literary language, orthographic reforms, and the establishment of linguistic norms. The article argues that Balan’s work represents not only a scientific contribution but also a cultural and moral program that underlies the Bulgarian philological tradition and modern linguistic thought.
Keywords: Alexander Teodorov-Balan, Bulgarian linguistics, language culture, rhetorical-aesthetic doctrine, linguistic norm, codification, orthographic reform, purity of language, national identity, philological tradition
REFERENCES
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PARVEV, Hr. 1987. Sazdateli i tvorci na balgarskoto ezikoznanie. Sofia: Narodna prosveta.
STOJKOV, St. 1982. Aleksandar Teodorov-Balan. In: ANDREJCHIN, L., POPOVA, V. (eds.). Stroiteli i revniteli na rodniya ezik. Panteon. Sofia: Darzhavno izdatelstvo „Nauka i izkustvo“, pp. 265–271.
