The Reception of Foreign Languages in the History of Russian Culture

Abstract

In the chapter, the problem of an interference of foreign languages on development of culture of Russia of the eighteenth century is considered. Culturological aspect of a perspective borrowings and uses of a foreign language in everyday life of the eighteenth century are investigated through history of a technique of teaching foreign languages in Russia, through translated literature. The great lexical influence of foreign, especially European languages, on Russian culture was exerted by the active work of Peter the Great. The transformations of all aspects of Russian life, military, political, trade, and administrative reforms, the successful development of science, culture, and education introduced by Peter the Great formed a whole cultural stratum. The French language also left a significant mark in the Russian language. It was Peter the Great who laid the foundation for the development of the French language in Russia. French influence in Russia could not be established any firmly before the beginning of the eighteenth century. By the end of the reign of Peter the Great, it had just begun. Empress Elizaveta Petrovna significantly strengthened the position of French influence in Russia.