Vol 15, No 3 (2023)

Introduction. The verb objectal conjugation in the Erzya dialect area has a developed and complex structure of word forms. Their morphological composition is characterized by varying subject and object suffi xes. The variation of suffi xes in the objectal conjugation word forms is attributed to linguistic and extratextual factors, largely related to the dispersed residence of the Mordovians. The purpose of the article is to identify and describe the variation of suffi xes in the paradigms of the objectal conjugation of the future and past tenses of the mon sonze (I him) series in the Erzya dialect area.
Materials and Methods. Variants of the objectal conjugation suffi xes have been recorded by the authors based on fi eld materials collected during linguistic expeditions in the places of compact residence of the Erzya people. The collection of dialect material was carried out according to a questionnaire that refl ects the lexical, phonetic, and morphological variation of linguistic phenomena. When analyzing linguistic materials, descriptive and comparative-historical methods were used.
Results and Discussion. The structural analysis revealed that in the analyzed suffi xes there is no single order of the suffi xes for object, subject and time of action. Subject and object markers can be placed both after the verb stem and at the end of the word form. They do not have a fi xed position in the suffi x structure. The analysis of the objectal conjugation paradigms of the future and past tenses showed that the structure of the suffi xes -sať/-cať и -ińať/-įńať is the most logical and consistent. They retained all the formal components that refl ect the semantics of the series mon sonze (I him) of the Erzya verb objectal conjugation.
Conclusion. The fi eld material showed that the implementation of suffi xes in the objectal conjugation paradigms of different dialects of the Erzya language is not uniform. In some dialects, the structure of the analyzed suffi xes is clear, logical and consistent, while in others, the suffi xes have lost one of the formal indicators of an object or subject.

Introduction. Old written monuments are the most important source for studying the history of the development of written language, especially in the case of Karelian. This article provides a linguistic analysis of Karelian materials presented in the thesaurus-type dictionary “Comparative Dictionaries of All Languages and Peoples”, published on behalf of Catherine II from 1787 to 1789, under the editorship of P. S. Pallas.
Materials and Methods. The source of this study comprised Karelian language materials from the dictionary. The research centers on translations of 285 concepts categorized as “in Korelian” (No. 56) and “in Olonets” (No. 57). Methodologically, the research leverages philological techniques, including contextual analysis, as well as comparative-historical methods encompassing both external and internal reconstruction approaches.
Results and Discussion. The analysis reveals that the graphic system of the monument effectively mirrors the structural and phonetic characteristics of Southern Karelian (proper Karelian dialect) and Livvik consonantism. However, the representation of vowel sounds exhibits certain limitations, primarily stemming from the inherent complexities in conveying distinct Karelian phonemes through the medium of Cyrillic script. Infrequent nominal and verbal grammatical forms broadly align with the contemporary inflectional systems observed in proper Karelian and Livvik dialects.
Conclusion. The linguistic analysis of multi-dialectal Karelian materials consistently portrays the phonetic, grammatical, and lexical systems of Karelian dialects as they existed in the late XVIII century. This analysis confidently associates the materials from the “Korelian” section of the dictionary with proper Karelian, while materials from the “Olonets” section are attributed to the Livvik dialect of the Karelian language.

Introduction. This article is dedicated to analyzing the dynamics of marital status among the Udmurts in Udmurtia from 1959 to 1989. The aim of this study is to examine the changes in marital status among the Udmurts, a crucial aspect of demographic shifts and a signifi cant structural characteristic of the population when analyzing its reproduction.
Materials and Methods. The authors utilize data from the All-Union Population Censuses conducted in 1959, 1970, 1979, and 1989, enabling a comprehensive analysis of marital status among various ethnic groups. Various research methods have been applied, including historical-comparative, chronological, and statistical approaches.
Results and Discussion. Through this study, it was determined that the indicators of marital status among the Udmurts in Udmurtia were below the national average in 1959. However, the Udmurts exhibited a higher level of matrimonial behavior, despite the infl uence of urbanization processes and the consequences of the Great Patriotic War, which allowed them to compensate for these disparities by 1989.
Conclusion. This analysis provides insights into the dynamics and trends in the marriage rates of the Udmurt population in the Udmurt ASSR. It can be concluded that between 1959 and 1989, the proportion of married Udmurts in the region increased at a rate surpassing the national average. Census data from 1989 indicate compensatory demographic indicators among the Udmurts, achieved following the Great Patriotic War.

Introduction. The article explores the representation of the juxtaposition between the mundane and the “otherworld” in Mari traditions and rituals.
Materials and Methods. The work is based on the author's fi eld materials collected in areas with a compact Mari population from 2017 to 2022 (Republic of Mari El, Republic of Bashkortostan, Kirov Oblast). The primary scientifi c approach employed by the researcher is the semiotic approach to the study of tradition. The author also draws upon M. Douglas's concept of the “unclean” in culture and the symbolic boundary between the conventionally “normal” and the “unnatural”, as well as E. Durkheim's sociocultural theory of the “sacred” and the “unclean” in myth and religious rituals.
Results and Discussion. Based on interviews, memorial-ritual practices, and non-fi ction prose texts, the author examines the dichotomies “living – non living” and “pure – impure” in contemporary Mari culture. The focus of the study is on the models describing the “otherworld” and the semiotic characteristics of its folkloric inhabitants, as well as the perspectives on the differentiation and liminality of mythological spaces. As indicators marking folkloric characters as “unclean forces”, the author considers their visual characteristics. The researcher is also interested in the tradition bearers' views on the interaction with chthonic space and its consequences.
Conclusion. Contemporary Mari folklore and ritual practices represent notions of the dichotomies “living – non-living” and “pure – impure”. Maintaining differentiation between “pure” and “impure” loci is ensured by the existence of normative prescriptions and restrictions within the local tradition. Violation of this distance, contact with the “otherworld”, marks a person as connected to the demonic, as a source and simultaneously a victim of dark mythological power.

Introduction. In the proposed article, the authors delve into the meaning and symbolism of the color red in the linguistic worldview and ethnoculture of the Karelians. The focus is on lexemes that denote the color red. The authors also explore the linguistic color palette, including the linguistic symbolism of fire, blood, and descriptions of a person's appearance. The relevance of the study is underscored by the need to examine various aspects of the language and culture of the Karelians, who are considered indigenous peoples facing the threat of extinction.
Materials and Methods. The material for the study was Karelian language dictionaries, samples of Karelian speech and folklore sources. Comparative-comparative, comparative-historical and ethnolinguistic research methods were used.
Results and Discussion. The collected and analyzed material has shown that the Karelians attributed significant importance to the color red. It was endowed with apotropaic properties and served as a talisman. In the linguo-cultural context, the naming of the color red is reflected in the formation of the Karelian linguistic worldview when denoting blood, human appearance, illnesses, and more. The practical significance of this research lies in the potential utilization of the presented material in courses on lexicology, the Karelian language, as well as in the teaching of regional studies and ethnography. The theoretical significance is defined by the fact that the obtained data can lay the foundation for further exploration of color symbolism, color codes, and related topics in the linguistic and ethnocultural worldview of the Karelians.
Conclusion. The collected and analyzed material has demonstrated that the color red held a distinct significance in the language and culture of all Karelian groups. This tendency is also observed among other Baltic-Finnic peoples, particularly the Veps and Finns.

Introduction. This article examines the features of regional cultural policy using the example of a particular subject of the Russian Federation – the Republic of Mordovia. Regional cultural policy is currently emerging as an independent area of project activity aimed at the comprehensive study and development of the historical and cultural uniqueness of the regional space, as well as the identifi cation and effi cient utilization of its resources (intellectual, fi nancial, material-technical, etc.). It also involves the development and implementation of regional programs for the support and development of culture and creative technologies.
Materials and Methods. The study is based on regulatory and legislative documents and materials from grant funds. The methodology for collecting empirical data included an analysis of the database of supported projects, as well as the content of publications in mass media. Comparative and contrasting methods were employed, which are essential when working with electronic databases.
Results and Discussion. During the research, the specifi cs of regional cultural policy in the Republic of Mordovia were examined. Materials from the “Culture. Grants of Russia” internet portal, offi cial websites of the Presidential Grants Fund, the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, the Russian Cultural Fund, and the Internet Development Institute Fund were analyzed. Special attention was given to projects in the fi eld of culture and art supported by these funds.
Conclusion. The examined measures and tools for supporting projects in the fi eld of culture have yielded positive results and enhanced the effectiveness of project activities, creating a favorable environment for the development of creative technologies in the regions. The research conducted by the authors will contribute to the creation of an information and communication space that accumulates information about all Russian grant competitions, their terms of participation, and results.