In the article, the currently existing codified orthographic norms are presented with reference to four selected problem topics and paralleled with certain other norms significantly influencing the synchronous usage of written language. The expression “norm” or “norms” is to be understood in its broadest sense: at one end of the continuum as a formalized set of rules and regulations which, if ignored, may result in sanctions, and, at the other end, as a set of principles and guidelines organized according to unified rules and affecting, or regulating, any one sphere of human activity and behaviour. The discussion includes other possible reasons for the discrepancies between orthographically prescribed use and use deviating from it. Despite the weight of these reasons, the non-linguistic norms presented in this article appear to be an influential factor that can by no means be overlooked by contemporary normative linguistics.