A Morphological Study of Grammatica Russica (1696): Focusing on Correlation of The Correct Syntax of Slavonic Grammar (1619)

Abstract

This paper examines Russian grammar system patterns shown in Heinrich Wilhelm Ludolf’s Grammatica Russica in comparison with Meletius Smotrytsky’s Church Slavic grammar book, The Correct Syntax of Slavonic Grammar from a morphological view of nouns, prepositions, and conjunctions. By doing so, this study found the following. First, instead of systematizing the Russian grammar based on Greek and Latin, Ludolf wrote Grammatica Russica with the help of Smotrytsky’s book which demonstrated the linguistic transition of Church Slavic grammar. Second, in comparison with Smotrytsky’s The Correct Syntax of Slavonic Grammar, the simplified grammar found in the content and overall flow of Grammatica Russica not only reflects the inductive information on Russian language that Ludolf experienced and observed, but also can be reviewed as an optimal system to provide a practical approach to learning Russian for Europeans. Lastly, in discussing the difficulty of learning Russian, especially of its grammar, it should recognize its universality and specificity in relations with other European languages. And Grammatica Russica’s explanations in terms of contrast linguistics view are in line with today’s pedagogy in teaching foreign languages. Also, unlike Smotrytsky’s The Correct Syntax of Slavonic Grammar, it provides an opportunity to show Russia’s language and culture of its time in the section introducing the diminutive noun and its usages in everyday life. In this context, the Russian grammar system and its patterns shown in Grammatica Russica have significance as it provides an opportunity to review the history of Russian education as a foreign language.