Abstract. The article examines orthographic variation in the representation of ordinal numerals by Arabic and Roman numerals in contemporary Bulgarian. Particular attention is paid to the widespread use of non-standard and competing forms in public writing, educational practice, and digital communication. The analysis demonstrates that, despite the existence of clearly established orthographic rules, the written representation of ordinal numerals is often marked by uncertainty and inconsistency.
The principal normative patterns are systematized, including forms in which Arabic numerals are combined with alphabetic endings by means of a hyphen, as well as constructions using a non-punctuation full stop. The specific conventions governing Roman numerals and dates are also discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on common non-standard spellings resulting from an incorrect relationship between the numerical sign and the phonological and morphological structure of the corresponding ordinal form.
The main factors contributing to the spread of such deviations include insufficient attention to the issue in school education, the preference for speed and simplification in online communication, and the influence of English graphic conventions. The article concludes that the orthographic rules governing Bulgarian ordinal numerals are logically motivated and relatively straightforward, but their consistent application requires greater linguistic awareness and closer attention to normative usage in both public and informal written communication.
Keywords: ordinal numerals, orthography, standard Bulgarian, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, dates, digital communication, language culture
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