Ideas and Ideals

The round table was devoted to the problems related to the recent state of the Russian language.

Participants of the discussion noted the need to clearly distinguish between language and speech, i.e. a system and its way of functioning in the process of communication, and between general laws of evolution of language and the specific situation in the society. A variety of socio-linguistic trends that affect literacy of native speakers was discussed, as well as the loss of prestige of the Russian language in Russian society and around the world. There were different opinions regarding whether these negative effects are disastrous for the preservation of national language and for the Russian culture manifested through language. The participants expressed confidence that the Russian language will alive in 2100, however, in order to preserve its purity and wealth and to raise the prestige in the eyes of the national and the world communities, the efforts are needed from each family and society, and from the state, and specifically from еducational institutions at all levels – from primary to tertiary ones.