Translated material
Rescuers of words
The last ten years in Russia has been trying to strengthen its influence on the Russian language, or, more rigidly, to restore control over it that existed in the Soviet years. This control was practically lost along with the disappearance, or at least a change in the status of professions such as a censor, editor, corrector and announcer. The government, in particular, affects the language through laws and through the creation of various tips and federal programs. It is enough to recall that the first article of the Law on the State Language of the Russian Federation says literally the following: “The procedure for approving the norms of the modern Russian literary language when using it as the state language of the Russian Federation, the rules of Russian spelling and punctuation is determined by the Government of the Russian Federation”.
In general, such actions, in my opinion, do not bring much result, and sometimes even cause the opposite effect. But the conversation is not about that now.
In search of a model of interaction between society (and state) with the language, they most often turn to the experience of France. The similarity of situations lies in the fact that both Russian and French are developed literary languages (with a powerful cultural tradition), with a considerable claim to the international function (for Russian - at least in the post -Soviet space). Both of them are strongly influenced by the English language, which actually has already become international in the modern world. This influence is in two ways. On the one hand, the English language crowns all other languages and narrows the sphere of use. Say, in the post -socialist world, he almost replaced the Russian language as the main foreign language. On the other hand, English acts directly on the languages themselves, primarily through borrowing. But not only. For example, interspersed of the English text in the Russian (like French by Leo Tolstoy) were impossible fifteen years ago, and now they are increasingly becoming the norm. The Kommersant newspaper does not transcribe foreign names, but transfers them with Latin (the funny thing is that the Latin is used there for Bulgarian names and for names belonging to other foreign languages with Cyrillic writing). More recently, I came across a book (L. Goralik, S. Lviv. Half of the sky. M.: Foreigne, 2005), where conversations in English (and there are quite a lot of them) are given in English and without translation into Russian. Once again, I repeat that such a publishing (better, editorial) strategy was considered an unacceptable ten to fifteen years ago, although in the 19th century it was possible.
So, there is a certain, although far from complete, similarity of Russian and French situations. But the reaction to these situations varies quite strongly. If prohibitive measures are mainly discussed in Russia, then in France events are constantly being held aimed at supporting the French language and expanding its role [1] . Huge funds are invested in the development of the Francophony, that is, the strengthening of the ties of the franco-speaking community in the world, and in this activity there is much more politics than something else (for example, linguistics). I want to say about the fairly simple events that are held within the country. From a meaningful point of view, French television is no better than the Russian one, for one (or, if you want, two) exceptions. I mean programs about books and language. All leading French channels have special programs about new books. In these programs, as a rule, the authors are present and not only fiction is discussed, but also journalism, and even purely scientific books. Sometimes these programs are closed, but new ones are replaced by new ones. The most famous, and I want to say - cult, under the name "Cultural Bousse", was led by Bernard beer for many years. Bernard beer is one of the most famous French television journalists. Among other things, he is one of the organizers of the famous French dictations (“Les Dicos d'Oor”, “Golden Dictionaries”), a popular competition, whose finale was held on television. The dictations are so complex that even the winners make a certain number of mistakes in them. And he is the compiler of the series of the same name "Golden Dictionaries", which includes popular books about the language.
And here I have in my hands a new book of this series, written by Bernard Beer himself, “100 Mots a Sauver” [2] , the name of which can be translated into Russian as "100 words that need to be saved." This is a thin book, printed in large font, in fact, a dictionary. She was among the bestsellers for some time, which for the dictionary, you see, is a rarity. However, in appearance it is completely unlike the dictionary, and at first glance she has no scientific claims. In a small preface, the author writes that people engaged in the salvation of birds, insects, plants and other living creatures, which are at risk of disappearance, rightly consider their business important. But nobody cares about the disappearing words, although, it would seem, the words of the native language should be closer to us than never a visible plant. However, in linguistics, their own ecology appeared, however, linguists save objects larger than words - whole languages. Beer quotes the famous French linguist Claude Azhezh, who claims that about twenty -five languages disappears annually in the world. What can I say about words!
Nevertheless, the French are surprisingly reverent of their language. Bernard beer, not being, generally speaking, by a professional linguist, takes up the difficult task - to trace, or rather, to track down the words that are leaving the French language, and not only words, but individual meanings. And this task turns out to be fulfilled - but only for one simple reason: thanks to the French lexicography, which was established as non -stop production. In France, there are two famous vocabulary publishers Larousse and Robert (there are others, but beer relied on these publications), each of which, in addition to a large multi -volume dictionary, publishes one -volume one -volume - the so -called Petit Larousse and Petit Robert. These dictionaries annually include new words, and some obsolete, alas, are excluded from them (the volume of the dictionary, in general, is unchanged). All updates are fixed and discussed publicly, including on television. Therefore, even a non -specialist can compile a dictionary of disappearing words. Touching touch: at the end of the book, beer left empty pages entitled “Liste Personnelle de Mots en peril” (“Personal list of words under the threat of disappearance”). The reader is invited to co -authors!
The dictionary itself is extremely simple. The article about the word consists of a description of its meaning, an example of use (as a rule, this is a quote from some famous author) and an optional, but always curious informal note marked with an exclamation of HEP! (Hey! Wait!). All this is written in an extremely living language and, of course, not without special French humor, however, quite intelligent.
The reader, unfamiliar with the French language, will be interested in a detailed analysis of the dictionary, so I will limit myself to several examples.
Here is the word Bath (with the litter "unchanged adjective"). It expresses a positive assessment. Such words are very frequent, especially in the lips of young people, and are not too substantial. They easily come into fashion, but if they fall out of the tongue, then, as a rule, there is no return. Baths were replaced by such understandable words as Super, GEANT, GENIAL, EXTRA. But, as the author gently notes, Bath Est un Mot Tres Bath, et Meme Super! What does it mean: Bath is a word very Bath (at least where), and even Super (super).
The disappeared word Bejaune (masculine noun) - from the be “beak” and jaune 'yellow'. Both in meaning and structure, it resembles the Russian yellow. Its origin is transparent: the yellow beak happens in the chicks. It is interesting, however, that in French there is a more consuming word Blanc-Bec (lit. "White-rod", that is, unsuccessful), the meaning of which combines inexperience with self-confidence and arrogance. Naturally, such arrogant youths are not too complained, for example, in the army.
Outdated interjection FI! It is clear to the Russian person without translation. It apparently came to us from the French language (like the expression to express fi) and, unfortunately, is also outdated. Beer itself admires its emotionality and brevity - this is a kind of record for the French language.
Another very French word Fla-Fla (masculine noun). It denotes unnatural, pompous or mannered behavior, and in combination with the verb Faire 'to make' can be translated into Russian how to portray yourself, and if very rude, then show off.
The feminine nasarte noun with the meaning of “hit or clicking on the nose”, both in direct and figuratively.
The word Patache (feminine noun) - a shaking dilizhins without springs, in which the peasants went. Kucherov, who managed these stagecoachs, called Patachon, and since they led somewhat scattered, so as not to say the bohemian, lifestyle, the expression lan vie de Patachon appeared (the life of Patashona), which is also safely outdated.
Funny and very long interjection Saperlipopette! Once it was blasphemy, and now it is an occasion for puns. It is mentioned among his favorite curses by one of the guests of the “cultural broth”, however, in the form of a whole phrase Ca Me Perd Les Popettes, which sounds very similar and completely meaningless (in any case, the French familiar could not interpret it).
How not to regret the outgoing word Suivez-May-Jeune-Homme (literally: Follow me, a young man, an unchanged masculine noun)! He was invented for ribbons on ladies' hats, gracefully swaying from behind and as if inviting young people to follow them.
But the word gourgandine (noun of feminine). So called women “without complexes” and, as beer writes, “without cold in the eyes”. However, he warns, do not confuse them with women of easy behavior, since the "Gurgandinki" do this not for the sake of money. Using another meaning of this word, “corsage with lacing on the chest”, the author gives rise to an completely unexplored pun: Delcer La Gourgandine Avant d'Enlacer La Gourgandine, something like “dilute the gorgandin (corsage) before hugging the gorgandina (girl).”
Well, in order to end the French ambiguities, I will inform you that the masculine noun Vit was left from the language, quite correct, and most importantly, the shortest name of the male genital organ. However, beer reassures, a countless number of other names remains, however, they will all be genuine.
In general, I must say that the author’s comments, very funny and completely informal, often contain unexpected and interesting information. From there, for example, I learned that the word Brunet was outdated, “brunette”, but Brunette, “brunette”, is quite live. In this case, the Russian language turned out to be more “political correct”, preserving both words borrowed from the French language.
Information about the novel by Georges Perek “disappearance”, published in 1969, was even more amazing for me. Bernard does not begin to evaluate his artistic merits, but recognizes the composition of the gap with a linguistic feat, for the author managed to do without a single letter E.
The story about the book beer could continue, sorting through all a hundred saved words in turn. But the main thing, I think, is already clear: before us is very French, light and cheerful, but at the same time a wise book about words and language.
Of course, to save the words, that is, it is impossible to save them in the language, but it is clear that beer did not set such a task. His book, rather, retains the memory of these words. In addition to emotional, aesthetic and, perhaps, even ethical value, such concern for the outgoing words has obvious scientific significance. Studying the words leaving the language, we can understand how and why the language changes, and at the same time - how the world around us changes: what things and concepts disappear and which simply cease to be so significant that there is a separate word in the language. Having read the book beer, I sadly thought about how important such a view would be in today's Russian language. Russian vocabulary changes incredibly quickly. However, if new words, is it bad, good, but still somehow fixed (for example, in the dictionaries of new words), then there is no talk about the words of the outgoing. But this leaves a whole layer of life. Alas, I thought, this will never be for the Russian language ... and soon came across the "Dictionary of rare and forgotten words" by V.P. Somov [3] , which came out even a year earlier than a book about French.
Unlike the book, beer, both by name and in appearance, this is a typical dictionary. The cover says: “Dictionary of rare and forgotten words is a unique publication, which presents a large number of low -use words (Gloss) found in the works of Russian literature from M.V. Lomonosov to T. Kibirov. The main building of the glossary is the words and expressions that are absent in modern academic explanatory dictionaries of the Russian language. The publication is designed to help the thoughtful reader when reading fiction ... ”Dictionary articles are decorated more than that of beer: they consist of interpretation, an example of literature and sometimes etymological reference (for some borrowed words). Of course, there are no informal comments. I will give a few examples.
Pier
- Fays at the state account.
Nikolai Shchedrin: “Literature has already generated these legions of disasters, which have a“ state ”in the language, and in thoughts a pie with state -owned filling” (all year round).
Doyen
- Senior (by age or position); Dwine. Konstantin Stanyukovych: “I am as a doyen with everyone” (first steps).
- Fr. Doyen is the oldest.
Veda
- The oldest monuments of Indian literature, written before the emergence of Buddhism.
Vladimir Korolenko: “Nobody studied the Shasters better, and no one plunged deeper into the ancient wisdom of the Vedas” (necessity).
Offe
- The subject of love.
Anton Chekhov: “Look more likely at your way! Running along the alley ... without looking back. Tea, imagines that I will shoot with him because of such a treasure like you ”(nothing to do).
- From fr. Objet.
Yafetida
- The peoples of Europe and North-Eastern Asia, whose ancestor was considered one of the three sons of the biblical elder Noah-Jafet (Yafet).
Valery Bryusov: “From the days of Atlantis / they are revealed to us Yafetida” (ZSFSR, 1924).
A more attentive study of the dictionary shows the following.
Firstly, this is not a vocabulary, since not only words, but also phrases are interpreted: a pie with official filling, hook, black swallow stone, personal honorary citizen, a spoon with a blessing hand, etc. Some articles are more like encyclopedic than vocabulary.
Secondly, it is impossible to understand by what principle the words were selected, what can be found in this dictionary and what should not even be sought. It is not clear, let's say why there are words of Carmelite and Carmelite in it, but there is no Franciscan, etc. Why suddenly the author decided to include separate names of coins or objects of a cult, etc.?
Thirdly, it is impossible to understand why, in some cases, the author gives etymology, and in others-not.
Fourth, of modern authors, except Timur Kibirov, only Viktor Toporov managed to find. It is hard to believe that today exclusively these two use rare or outdated words. Why is Kibirov chosen? Is it not to be mentioned on the cover?
Of course, some of these claims (for example, on the principle of selecting words) could have been presented with a book beer, but it has no scientific, in particular, vocabulary ambitions. This is primarily a popular book, so the author is free to choose those words and those authors that he likes him. And Somov’s book claims to be a dictionary, and hence a certain scientific, but, alas, does not meet these criteria. In front of us, however, is not a popular book, although the collected material is quite curious. Rather, its genre can be defined as “materials to the dictionary”, although the unification in one dictionary of obsolete and rare words and expressions causes certain doubts.
So, we have two rather curious books in which outdated words are somehow described, but one of them acts as a slight popular reading, and in this genre is quite successful, the other acts as a scientific and reference publication, and in this capacity, rather, unsuccessful. But the main difference between them, of course, is in another.
The merit of Bernard beer is that he sets an extremely important task (and only partially tries to solve it). It is not to help us read the old literature (essentially this task is outlined by V.P. Somov), but to understand which, more recently, used and, perhaps, even very frequent - words leave us or have already left us. As I said above, it was for the Russian language and today, in the era of quick, we can say, stormy changes in vocabulary, this task is especially interesting and relevant. Changes in vocabulary, of course, largely reflect changes in the most real world, and our perception, and the way of knowing this world. To understand that it irrevocably leaves before our eyes is partly preserving it, to save, using Bernard's words.
Но оказывается, что для русского языка сделать это практически невозможно, и здесь нет вины никакого отдельного лингвиста или отдельного автора. Таково, к сожалению, состояние, и даже, скорее, таковы традиции русской лексикографии. Существующие толковые словари русского языка, а среди них немало хороших, не ориентированы, к сожалению, на постоянное, из года в год, обновление. Стереотипное же переиздание словарей, естественно, никак не может помочь делу спасения слов. Конечно, в самых общих чертах можно предположить, что уходят идеологические слова типа субботник, партсобрание, соцсоревнование или такие слова, как несун, стиляга, описывающие явления, характерные для ка кого-то определенного времени, — но даже с ними не все ясно. А что же говорить о других словах? На мой взгляд, из речи практически исчезло чрезвычайно популярное в советское время слово получка. Действительно, раньше все мы жили от получки до получки, и без этого слова, как и без соответствующего понятия, прожить было невозможно. Мне кажется, что я больше не слышу этого существительного, но доказать я этого не могу. Более того, даже если я прав, то, возможно, это касается только определенного круга людей, с которыми я общаюсь, а, скажем, за его пределами оно может быть по-прежнему употребительно. Если слово получка ушло насовсем, мне (вовсе не как лингвисту) хотелось бы знать об этом, ведь это значит, что в нашей жизни что-то изменилось. Но как лингвист я прекрасно понимаю, что в ближайшее время мне никто этого не скажет. И остается только с завистью вертеть в руках книжку Бернара Пиво, представителя редкой профессии — «спасатель слов».
[1] Из наиболее известных запретительных мер, все же принятых во Франции, следует назвать закон, запрещающий использование английских слов в рекламе.
[2] Pivot B. 100 mots a sauver. Paris: Albin Michel, 2004. 136 p.
[3] Сомов В. П. Словарь редких и забытых слов. М.: ООО «Издательство Астрель»; ООО «Издательство АСТ», 2003. 606 c.