Sava Mrkalj

Sava Mrkalj (1783-1835) was a Serbian linguist best known for attempting to reform the Serbian language before Vuk Stefanović Karadžić. In one publication, a pamphlet titled "Fat of the Thick Jer", he proposed a simplification of the Serbian alphabet from forty-two to twenty-six letters.Butler, Thomas J. (Winter, 1969) "Jernej Kopitar's Role in the Serbian Language Controversy." The Slavic and East European Journal, Vol. 13, No. 4. pp. 482] His suggestion was considered radical, and Mrkalj received enough abuse from the church hierarchy that retracted his proposal in another publication titled: "A Palinode or Defense of the Thick Jer". Later in life, Mrkalj became despondent and died in a Vienna mental hospital.

He was born in Kordun, present-day Croatia, to Serbian parents.

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