Diachronic/Synchronic Dynamism of Russian Literary Language: Democratization of Language ― Graphics and Orthography of Russian Literary Language ―

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to study the history of graphics and orthography of the Russian literary language in terms of the democratization of language. In this paper, democracy of language is defined as the ideal situation of communication and optimizing linguistic means for the ideal situation of communication as the democratization of the language system. The most important features of a democratic language are openness to speakers and easy accessibility of speakers, which is most effectively secured when the literary language is their own mother tongue and ordinary language. Russian transitioned from bilingual (Church Slavic-Eastern Slavic language) to a national unified literary language in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and it laid the foundation for the breakthrough to its democracy. The graphics system of the Russian literary language improved simplicity and efficiency and acquired openness and accessibility by eliminating surplus spellings from civil characters in the early 18th century to the spelling reform in 1917/18. The traditional subject of debate, the “Ъ, Ь” type, lacks a theoretical system and efficiency of acquisition, but linguistic traditions and customs work strongly with this type and the principle of majority decision is respected, so it remained unchanged for more than 100 years. The type “спорттрасса/спорт˗трасса/спорт трасса,” which requires normalization as a recent phenomenon, allows for exceptional forms and variations, enriches linguistic means and expands the horizon of linguistic choice. In this way, the democracy of language is enhanced. The democracy of Russian graphics and orthography has historically improved, and this is verified by the democracy of its usage. The existence of the language is based on the premise of the use of the language, so that as more speakers use it more freely and easily, the graphics and orthography are more democratic. However, as the environment and conditions of language use change with the times, the democratization of language use also changes in focus. In the 18th - early 20th centuries, language equality and freedom were realized by replacing other graphics with their own and achieving its simplification and unification. In the late 20th century, we should allow exceptions and variants and recognize diversity. It also strengthens the democratic nature of the graphics and orthography by ensuring verbal abundance and freedom.