This article explores the role of Novgorod birch bark letters in the ‎development of literacy and social structure of medieval Novgorod. The ‎main linguistic features, the use of vernacular, dialects, and folklore ‎elements are examined. The article highlights the democratization of ‎literacy and its accessibility to various social groups. Novgorod birch bark ‎letters played an important role in spreading literacy and connecting ‎different social layers. The significance of these documents for studying ‎the social and economic life of Novgorod is also discussed.‎