Historical-linguistic problems in the scientific work of Mykola Hrunsʹkyi

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the scientific legacy of the famous Ukrainian linguist Mykola Kuzʹmych Hrunsʹkyi (10.10.1872—13.08.1951), which covers a wide range of linguistic problems. The focus is on the scientist’s studies in the field of the history of Slavic languages and literatures, the study of ancient texts, the history of orthography, and problems of the functioning of the Ukrainian language. Understanding that written records are the main source of studying the history of the formation and development of the language, the scientist paid special attention in his scientific research to the study of ancient works. His studies on texts that belong to the earliest period of the formation of the written language are valuable — the Prague Glagolitic fragments, the Zograf and Ohrid Gospels, the Freising manuscripts, and the Kyiv Glagolitic manuscripts. Mykola Hrunsʹkyi is actively involved in the development of the basic orthographic principles of the Ukrainian language, working as a member of various commissions. He is the author of a number of textbooks and manuals on Old Slavic, Russian and Ukrainian languages, lexicography, pedagogy and language teaching methods. Keywords: language history, orthography, paleography, Slavic languages