At the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century the need for the elevation of the Macedonian vernacular on the level of the literary language was emphasized by the great number of the Macedonian national and cultural activists included into "Lozari" circle, the Macedonian Revolutionary Organization, especially in the Macedonian colonies in St. Petersburg and Odessa (J.S. Dedov, D. Chupovski, K. Misirkov and others). The appearance of K.P. Misirkov was of great importance; in his study "Za makedonckite raboti" ("On the Macedonian Matters") from 1903 he emphasized the individuality of the Macedonian nation and language making a vast attempt on the codification of the Macedonian literary language.

In the XIX century and the first half of the XX century the development of the Macedonian language was decelerated by the ecclesiastical and educational propaganda of the neighbouring countries. However, the Macedonian people, not only during the Turkish rule, but also during the period of partition of Macedonia, continued to nourish and develop its mother tongue, which, in the beginning of the XX century, was the most used language of all languages in Macedonia and was spoken approximatelly by 90% of the population. It was mass used among the members of the families, in the mutual communication and on the traditional getherings.

The question on standardization of the Macedonian language was solved at the end of NOV with the establishment of the modern Macedonian state. At the I Session of ASNOM (August 2, 1944) the decision of the officialisation of the Macedonian language, within the frames of the Macedonian state, was made. According to the proposition of the Commission on lingual question the Macedonian alphabet and ortography were proclaimed as official in Macedonia (1945).

The base of the Macedonian literary language is composed by the central dialects (Veles - Prilep - Bitola - Kichevo). The Macedonian ortography is created on the phonetic principle. The significant contribution to the codification and study of the Macedonian literary language was given by: Blazhe Koneski, Krum Toshev, Krume Kepeski, Blagoj Korubin, Aleksandar Spasov, Todor Dimitrovski, Radmila Ugrinova - Skalovska etc.

During the period from 1945 till nowadays, the Macedonian literary language has undergone swift development and international affirmation. It is being studied at the Universities in the Republic of Macedonia and in many European and non-European countries. Every year the great number of scientists from the whole world take part in the traditional seminar in Ohrid studying the Macedonian language.