Glossary of Serbo-Croatian and Slovene Words: With Emphasis on Diplomatic, Military, Security, and Technical Terms

MOTIVATION

In a world roiled by international tensions and the re-emergence of great-power rivalries, the need to understand military terminology has never been greater. This Cold War-era glossary provides a concise and convenient guide to the language of Yugoslav and now Serbian armed forces and political organizations, a region of vital strategic importance that remains an arena for competition between East and West.Human beings are driven by a need to understand their surroundings, a need that becomes even more acute in times of uncertainty. The knowledge contained in this book will help readers come up to speed on events and news in the volatile Balkans, a region that continues to be inescapably significant to Russia, NATO, and the US.

ABSTRACT

The lexicon of abbreviations and terms related to various organizations, institutions, and technical disciplines in the former Yugoslavia is extensive, encompassing domains such as military operations, political entities, industrial sectors, and educational institutions. This comprehensive compilation includes terms from multiple languages used in the region, reflecting the diverse linguistic heritage and complex administrative structures. The abbreviations span a broad range of fields, from military designations like "CMD" (Ciril-Metodova druzba - Cyril and Methodius Society) and "DSNO" (Drzavni sekretarijat za narodnu odbranu - State Secretariat for National Defense), to economic and industrial terms such as "IMT" (Industrija motora i traktora - Engine and Tractor Factory) and "ZF" (Zavod za statistiku - Statistical Office).

Additionally, the lexicon captures the historical evolution of these entities, including those from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia era and the subsequent independent states. This detailed terminology serves as a crucial reference for understanding the region's bureaucratic, military, and socio-economic landscape, offering insights into the organizational and functional dynamics of various sectors. This resource is invaluable for historians, political scientists, analysts, and linguists studying the administrative and operational of Yugoslav and Serbian government.