ACCENT IN THE MONTENEGRIN LANGUAGE BETWEEN STANDARD, REALITY, AND IDEOLOGY

This paper addresses the issue of accentual norms in the contemporary Montenegrin language, with a particular focus on the relationship between official standardization and actual language practice. The first part of the paper discusses the theoretical foundations of the standard language, the process of language standardization, and the sociolinguistic consequences of prescripti-vism. The second part analyzes dialectological data on Montenegrin speech varieties, showing that the Old Štokavian accentuation predominates in most of Montenegro's territory. This is further confirmed by research on accentual practices in the public speech of members of the current, 44th Government of Montenegro. The third part critically examines public discourse on accent through media appearances by language authorities, with particular attention to the rhetoric that supports the exclusivity of the Neo-Štokavian accentuation as the only legitimate standard. The conclusion presents the position that the normative recognition of Old Štokavian accentuation is not only possible but also necessary, in order for the standard Montenegrin language to align more closely with real usage and to support a more functional language policy.