The winning words reflect contemporary social and technological developments, highlighting the language’s adaptability.The three new Croatian words awarded at the Dr. Ivan Šreter Awards are presudnik – a Croatian alternative to VAR (Video Assistant Referee), proposed by Josipa Curić; dohvatnica – a Croatian equivalent for “widget,” proposed by Antonio Zandona; narubno – a replacement for the Germanism “na kant,” proposed by Majda Joha.
The awards, named after Dr. Ivan Šreter, a prominent advocate for the Croatian language, aim to encourage linguistic creativity and the preservation of national identity.
Winners are chosen based on originality, relevance, and contribution to everyday communication.
This year’s additions underscore how Croatian continues to evolve, integrating modern concepts while maintaining linguistic clarity. Officials and language experts hope such initiatives will inspire wider public engagement with the language and its ongoing development.
