Russian Language in 18 Minutes

Summary

This video traces the evolution of the Russian language, starting with its early roots in Old East Slavic and its transformation through historical events. It explores the development of the Russian alphabet by Saints Cyril and Methodius, the influence of Old Church Slavonic, and the impact of foreign languages during Russia's imperial and Soviet eras. The video also touches on the modernization of Russian in the 18th to 20th centuries and the current influence of the internet and global trends. Overall, it provides an engaging overview of the rich history of the Russian language.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Russian language evolved from Old East Slavic, a language spoken in the Kievan Rus.
• 😀 Cyril and Methodius developed the Glagolitic script and Old Church Slavonic, which influenced the Russian language.
• 😀 Old East Slavic splintered into three languages: Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian by the 14th century.
• 😀 Church Slavonic continued to influence Russian vocabulary and grammar for centuries.
• 😀 The Mongol invasion introduced Turkic influences, but Russian swearing existed prior to this period.
• 😀 The 18th century saw Peter the Great’s reforms modernize Russian and introduce a civil script.
• 😀 Western European languages, especially French, heavily influenced Russian vocabulary in the 18th century.
• 😀 The 19th century brought Russian literary giants like Pushkin, who contributed to the language's development.
• 😀 The Soviet period standardized the language and introduced new terminology related to politics and bureaucracy.
• 😀 The 20th century and internet culture introduced new slang, including the influx of English words into Russian.
• 😀 Russian continues to evolve rapidly in the 21st century, driven by the internet and globalization.

Q & A

When did the word 'Русь' first appear, and what does it signify?

The word 'Русь' appeared no later than the 9th century. It was originally used to describe the Scandinavian elite of Kievan Rus, but over time it came to represent all the Slavic peoples of the region.

What language did Saints Cyril and Methodius create, and why is it important for Russian history?

Saints Cyril and Methodius created Old Church Slavonic, a language based on the southern Slavic dialects they knew. This language became the written form for the Kievan Rus and played a critical role in the development of Russian, influencing its vocabulary and grammar.

Why was the Glagolitic script used initially, and what happened to it over time?

The Glagolitic script was created by Cyril and Methodius to match the sounds of Slavic speech. However, it was complex, and over time, it was replaced by the Cyrillic script, which was easier to use and looked more similar to Greek letters.

How did Old East Slavic differ from modern Russian, and what remains of it today?

Old East Slavic, the ancestor of Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian, had a very different grammar and vocabulary. Today, traces of Old East Slavic can still be seen in certain modern Russian phrases and words, but much of its complexity has disappeared.

What impact did Church Slavonic have on the development of Russian?

Church Slavonic significantly influenced Russian, introducing compound nouns and participles that are still used today. It became the written language of the Kievan Rus and shaped many elements of Russian, even as it existed alongside the spoken language.

Why were the letters Ъ and Ь important in Old East Slavic, and why do they still exist in modern Russian?

In Old East Slavic, Ъ and Ь were vowels, although they were less clearly pronounced. Over time, their use in writing changed, and they ceased to be pronounced, but they remain in the Russian alphabet due to historical linguistic shifts.

What role did the Mongols play in shaping the Russian language?

The Mongols introduced Turkic words into Russian, especially in relation to statecraft and economics. However, contrary to some myths, they did not influence the development of Russian swear words, which had ancient Slavic roots.

How did the Russian language evolve during the reign of Peter the Great?

Peter the Great sought to modernize Russia by adopting a more secular language, simplifying the Cyrillic script, and replacing Church Slavonic with Russian for official writings. This period saw an influx of loanwords from German, French, and Dutch, which reshaped the vocabulary.

What was the significance of the Russian language reforms during the 19th century?

In the 19th century, there were efforts to codify the Russian language through dictionaries and grammar books. These reforms helped standardize Russian, balancing literary and spoken forms and integrating new social and scientific terms.

How did the Russian language change in the 20th century, particularly after the Revolution?

The Russian language underwent significant changes following the Revolution, including the removal of obsolete letters and the adoption of new words from political and military jargon. This was followed by a period of mass urbanization and the rise of new linguistic forms, particularly in the Soviet era.