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06.09.2009 Erin Decker holds a BA in Political Science and International Studies (Global Security) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A long-time student of the Russian language, she is currently studying in Moscow under SRAS's Work-Study: Translation Program. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Recent Changes to the Russian Language By Erin Decker As of September 1, 2009, Russia's government has a new list of official reference books for language use. The list has effected a number of official changes to the Russian language, causing concern among some linguists. The list of approved sources was created by the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Education and Science, a task it was given in November of 2006 via federal order. The ministry compiled a list of dictionaries and other reference books that are to be consulted as the main sources for understanding the modern Russian language and its correct usage.  The list is included in an official order from the Ministry, (dated August 6, but published and in force as of September 1). Although it has been said that the list is still open for additions, as of now it contains only four sources: The Orthographic Dictionary of Russian Language (Bukchina, Kazanova, Cheltsova); The Grammatical Dictionary of Russian Language (Zaliznyak); The Russian Dictionary of Pronunciation (Reznichenko); and The Dictionary of Russian Phraseology (Telia).  Some of the official changes in stress and spelling are as follows: договОр or дОговор (contract) йОгурт or йогУрт (yogurt) звонИт or звОнит (to call) тандЕм or тАндем (tandem – note that this word has gained in usage since the latest Russian presidential elections created "tandem rule" in Russia, officially led by both Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev) кулинАрия or кулинарИя (culinary or delicatessen) квАшение, (fermented, pickled, sour - note that the alternate pronunciation квашЕние is no longer acceptable) по срЕдам or по средАм (on Wednesdays – note this is only this one grammatical form of "среда") карате or каратэ (karate – note that this may be spelled either way but pronunciation remains the same; spelling with ‘е’ does not require the ‘т’ to be pronounced softly) брачующиеся or брачащиеся (marrying – note that this is an adjective form – as in "a marrying couple") кофе, виски, бренди (coffee, whiskey, brandy). These words may now take either masculine or neutral cases. Интернет (Internet) is usually to have the first letter capitalized, however интернет (internet) will no longer be considered incorrect.  The list is somewhat controversial, mainly due to its very limited number of sources. They are all dictionaries from the same publisher and do not include any sources on stylistics. Some conservative linguists have been railing against what they say as the instiutionalization of "low-brow" language usage (with arguments that you might see from conservative English linguists if Webster's dictionary suddenly included an official entry for "wazzup"). However, one commentator on the respected site gramota.ru puzzled at the uproar, stating that it is natural for a language to change and that a language that does not change is dead. Others point out that the "new" spelling and pronunciation rules have actually been in use for well over ten years and can already be found in most contemporary Russian dictionaries. A spokesman for the Interdepartmental Commission on Russian Language explained that the new dictionaries are intended especially for use in official spheres, such as government, media, and advertising; it is not clear yet whether the dictionaries will be distributed to schools and enforced there as well.   Study Abroad in Russia SRAS Resources for Teachers The Library: Russian Language   Find Out More! SRAS Travel Services Heath and Safety in Russia The SRAS Newsletter Journal for Students More Free Resources!      Questions or comments? Contact the editor. « back to News archive print this page email this page