The Russian Language in the Tentieth Century [Hardcover]

Comrie's and Stone'sThe Russian Language since the Revolution(OUP 1978) provided a comprehensive account of the way Russian changed in the period between 1917 and the 1970s. In this new volume the authors, joined by Maria Polinsky, extend the time frame back to 1900 and forward toglasnostin the mid 1980s. They first consider changes in the pronunciation, morphology, syntax, and vocabulary of the language and then examine the effects of social change on the language in chapters on the changing status of women, modes of address and speech etiquette, and orthography. They show that changes in all these areas have been very substantial, and explore the extent to which the standard language, as portrayed in dictionaries and grammars, coincides with the actual usage--both spoken and written--of educated Russians.

Indispensable for all institutions offering Russian courses. --Choice

...a book that will appeal to a broad readership, since it adeptly addresses both scholarly and practical concerns. In addition to its obvious appeal for linguists, the update on current language usage will be of interest to both native and non-native speakers. Since the book addresses many questions that arise in language classes, it will also be a valuable reference for language teachers. --Slavic and East European Journal