Nauchnyi Dialog

This study identifies similarities and differences in the structural organization and cultural attitudes expressed in Swedish and Russian proverbs of comparative semantics on poverty and wealth. It provides a classification of linguistic units (35 Swedish and 60 Russian proverbs) based on their expression of identity, comparison, contrast, and syntactic organization. The research reveals that in the Swedish language, proverbs expressing comparison with adjectives in the comparative degree have quantitative advantages, while in the Russian language, proverbs expressing contrast prevail. Similar cultural attitudes in Swedish and Russian proverbs of comparative semantics on poverty and wealth include:

(1) The wealthy person’s material status is incomparably higher than that of the poor, but the poor person surpasses the wealthy in moral terms.

(2) The wealthy always desire more, being unsatisfied with their wealth.

(3) Laws operate differently for the rich and the poor.

(4) Wealth is fleeting if not used wisely.

Differences lie in specific cultural attitudes. For instance, Swedish proverbs focus on the wealthy person’s daughter as a coveted prize for those seeking easy enrichment, while Russian proverbs intensify certain qualities of individuals based on their degree of poverty / wealth (the poorer a person is, the more generous, wise, intelligent, brave, cunning they are, etc.).

This study explores the functioning of the Yakut language in the conditions of the northern industrial monotown Mirny (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)). The study identifies the features of linguistic distribution in the speech repertoire of ethnic Sakha based on data from a sociolinguistic survey and interviews (n=279). Descriptive statistical methods and content analysis are employed. The results reveal an asymmetric nature of Yakut-Russian bilingualism with Russian language predominance in public communication. While Sakha individuals exhibit a high level of language competence in the Yakut language, its application is limited. In familial and friendly communication, the Yakut language maintains significant positions; however, its demand is minimal in the professional-business sphere, especially in industry. Among individuals with higher education, the percentage of Russian speakers at work reaches 68.34% compared to 55.77% among those with only secondary vocational education. Russian language dominates in management, service sectors, and law enforcement (75—100%). Only in fields such as healthcare, education, and culture does the Yakut language maintain strong positions. The native language is primarily perceived by Sakha as a symbolic marker of identity, yielding to Russian in social prestige and communicative power. The vitality prospects of the Yakut language in the city are assessed ambiguously and are linked to the effectiveness of language policy in key institutional contexts (education, media, government).

This article addresses the issue of discourse markers as illuminated by the works of Russian scholars. The relevance of the study is justified by the necessity of theoretical understanding of existing scientific approaches to the examination of these linguistic units. A review of scholarly works from the XX—XXI centuries is conducted. Key positions in the interpretation of discourse markers within linguistic approaches such as functional-pragmatic and functional-semantic are characterized. Attention is given to aspects of studying this linguistic phenomenon, such as terminological nomination and belonging to a language class or category. The functions of discourse markers in each of the identified approaches are discussed in the article. The polyfunctionality of individual discourse markers is noted. The results of a comparative analysis of current typologies and classifications are presented. As a result, the authors conclude on the necessity of classifying discourse markers based on several indicators of these linguistic units. The predominance of the functional-pragmatic approach in discourse marker research is acknowledged. The unresolved issue of terminological nomination is recognized. The potential for further research in the field of discourse markers from the perspective of other approaches is highlighted.

The paper develops applied and theoretical results obtained by the author in a long-term, corpus-based research on the cross-linguistic scientific communication and on its most distinctive problem — translating modern scientific texts mainly on digital information processing from English into Russian (and vice versa). These texts are characterized primarily by the growing number of multi-word language-specific new terms. In this respect special attention is paid in the paper to modern authentic «digital» neologisms-clusters in English: to their cross-linguistic idiomatic character, their language-specific types and patterns, to their systematization as well as to their communicative and cognitive distinctions. The paper introduces their equivalent terminological counterparts in Russian and the way they are to be translated into Russian. Some important generalizations and proposals are also introduced concerning new trends in the formation of language-specific «digital» terminological clusters in English and the way they can be rendered into Russian. The paper concludes with outlining some further perspectives in studying cross-linguistic scientific communication, its new terminology and developing its cross-linguistic translation, particularly by digital resources.

This article reconstructs the overall development of periodicals in the Black Sea Province during the period 1906-1917, taking into account political, economic, and social changes that influenced the publications' information policy. It argues that the formation of the resort press system in the Black Sea Province in the early 20th century was linked to the development of Sochi as a resort. The emergence of the resort press system is characterized by the short duration of publication activities and the lack of information about the personalities of the publishers and editors of the early Sochi newspapers — “Sochi Courier,” “Black Sea Region,” “Sochi Leaf.” The article restores a series of biobibliographic data related to figures such as P. N. Zhano and G. D. Toropov. It explores the specifics of the literary and local history content of Sochi city newspapers from 1906 to 1917. It is established that during the period under study, the uniqueness of the content of the early Sochi newspapers was dictated, on one hand, by the territorial specificity of the developing resort, and on the other hand, by the preferences of the readership consisting of local residents and vacationers. Resort themes were one of the main topics of publications, with the frequency of such materials usually increasing at the beginning of the season. The author concludes that materials with literary and local history focus were an important component of the information policy of each publication, often having an essayistic character. Special attention in such publications was paid to the history of the founding of Sochi.

This article analyzes the “father-son” topos in “The Adventures of Telemachus” by Fénelon in relation to the cultural-historical situation and philosophical-aesthetic achievements of the 17th century. It explores the complex interactions of mythological motifs and the results of their individual-authorial artistic embodiment in Fénelon’s novel. The basis for understanding the “father-son” topos in a new anthropological paradigm is revealed, focusing on the image of the evolving individual capable of justifying the historical possibility of a more rational social structure. The influence of the philosophical and ethical situation of the era on the interpretive characteristics of the topos in the novel is determined. The evolution of the traditional archaic image of the epic hero is traced with a shift in roles. It is argued that the novel depicts not only traditional mythological tests of strength but also new “psychological” tests arising from changes in the philosophical-ethical situation: loneliness, love, power. The study’s novelty lies in identifying the author’s ideological stance shaping the topos “the ruler’s love for his people as for a son.” The research confirms the thesis of the determining influence of worldview attitudes of the era and cultural coordinates on the historical fate of the topos as a literary phenomenon.

This article focuses on the translation of Michelangelo Buonarroti’s fifth sonnet by Vyacheslav Ivanov in 1925. The sources used include the translated text and the manuscript of the original text, accompanied by the author’s drawing. Comparative analysis results of Ivanov’s translation and a literal translation by the authors are presented. It emphasizes Michelangelo’s original concept related to deforming the sonnet form (20 lines instead of 14, with two additional tercets added), resonating with the sonnet’s content, specifically describing his physical sufferings and uncomfortable poses while painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Attention is given to the author’s drawing, highlighting the division of the lyrical subject and his doubts about the effectiveness of his work. Commentary is provided on Vyacheslav Ivanov’s translation decisions for this sonnet, linked to his poetic and aesthetic principles. A symbolist interpretation of the sonnet’s key antithesis is explored: Michelangelo portrays the lyrical subject as a “Syrian bow” (a phrase denoting a bow that never misses) and a “crooked crossbow”, interpreting his doubts through images of projectile weapons overcoming him. The translator interprets this antithesis through the classical contrast of “poet and crowd”, indicating that the artist fears condemnation and requires protection.

The article examines the issue of the appeal of Chinese translators and researchers to the works of Afanasy Fet. The theme of the reception of the works of Russian classics does not lose its relevance in the context of intercultural communication. The material for the study consisted of Fet’s poems translated into Chinese, which were included in collections of Russian poetry or published in China as separate books, as well as studies by literary scholars and translators. The history of the reception of Fet’s works in China is presented. Two periods have been identified during which the study of the Russian poet’s work was carried out differently. It is noted that in the first half of the 20^th century, Fet’s lyrics were translated and studied to a lesser extent because, from the perspective of the Chinese reader and specialist, they were considered to lack social significance, which was particularly important during that period of China’s development. However, from the late 1970s, the reception of Fet’s works began to develop. It is shown that during this period, the focus of translators and literary scholars shifted towards studying the artistic features of Fet’s poetry. Chinese researchers highlight the musicality, impressionism, and aesthetic qualities of the poetry of this Russian classic.

This study analyzes the discourse of the Other and the Alien in transformations of the Medea narrative from the 20th to the 21st centuries, prominently seen through binary dramaturgical parallels in the works of H. H. Jahnn, G. Butler, H. Müller, L. Gaudé, M. Kurochkin, V. Klimenko, J. Anouilh, and T. Lanoye. This contributes to a productive understanding of how the constant components of the myth are perceived by different national mentalities within the context of this opposition. The relevance of this work lies in examining artistic texts through the lens of the national code phenomenon within historical epochs. The Medea archetype is reinterpreted in the context of contemporary life, encapsulating the struggles of women for intellectual and social independence. Diachronic typological parallels of this discourse are identified across all levels of the ethological structure of dramatic and stage adaptations as modern art becomes increasingly visualized and dramatic works require both verbal and visual, auditory perception. It is argued that the interaction of artistic codes from various art forms enhances the multifaceted meanings of Medea’s narratives, intensifying emotional effects and contributing to a psychologically nuanced characterization of the heroine.

This study addresses the enhancement of agitational and propagandistic measures to activate Cossack volunteerism in the Don region during the Great Patriotic War. Various sources, including archival and published documents, periodicals, testimonies, and contemporaries’ memoirs, were utilized. A comparative-historical analysis of agitational and propagandistic activities conducted in the Don region from 1941 to 1945 indicates significant changes in Soviet approaches and methods of agitation during wartime. Initially, internationalism and socio-political motives (class-based approach) dominated Soviet propaganda at the war’s outset, akin to the pre-war period, leading to the primary involvement of communists, Komsomol members, and Civil War veterans in the Cossack volunteer movement. However, pre-war propaganda approaches quickly lost their effectiveness. By autumn 1941, national-patriotic motives took precedence in Soviet agitation and propaganda efforts. In the Don region, these changes manifested in propaganda appealing to the illustrious combat history of the Don Cossacks and exalting regional patriotism. It is demonstrated that adjusting agitational and propagandistic measures towards strengthening national-patriotic motives proved highly effective, ensuring a steady influx of volunteers into Cossack cavalry formations.

This article focuses on characterizing the everyday life, moods, and situation of Germans residing in the territory of the Russian state from 1914 to 1917. The author analyzed letters written by representatives of different social groups, nationalities, and ages during this period, as well as materials from periodical publications. Special attention is given to significant events for the German population, such as the renaming of settlements from German to Russian names, the development and application of “liquidation legislation” towards them in 1914-1915, and the interactions in the army between German and Russian military personnel. Based on the materials studied, it is concluded that Germans had mixed perceptions of the socio-political events in the country. Some sought to blend in with the crowd and not emphasize their national identity, while others tried to draw the attention of State Duma deputies to their issues. They did not understand how to prove their loyalty to the authorities and why they were labeled as “internal enemies”, despite being Russian subjects. The most dissatisfaction was expressed by soldiers who fought as well as Russians, received deserved military awards, but were subjected to humiliations by their superiors.

This article examines the state policy of aligning Muslim law with Russian legislation in different cultural-historical contexts. It is demonstrated that the implementation of this mechanism was carried out among the Siberian Bukharans in the late 18th century, and from the second half of the 19th century, these methods were applied to Western Turkestan under the protectorate of the Russian Empire. Sources include documents from the Central State Archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State Archive of the Tyumen Region in Tobolsk. The research methodology is based on the systems theory of K. L. von Bertalanffy, utilizing comparative-historical and comparative-legal research methods. The authors conclude that the dissonance between Russian legislation and Western Turkestan not only reflected differences between two distinct legal systems and religious-legal cultures but primarily highlighted the gap between medieval and contemporary legal concepts for that time. The adaptation of Western Turkestan to Russian legislation shaped unified legal concepts and paved the way for transforming the multi-confessional population of the Russian Empire into a unified civic entity. This laid the groundwork for the coexistence of Uzbekistan and Russia within the USSR and later facilitated the development of an independent Uzbekistan using legislation closely aligned with Russian and European legal systems.

This article delves into specific aspects of complex political processes that unfolded in the interwar decades in British India, serving as the foundation for the subsequent decolonization of Hindustan. Drawing from an analysis of documentary sources and literary works, a comprehensive overview is provided regarding the factors shaping Indian communalism and the conceptual perspectives of its proponents during the period under review. The study concludes on the contradictory nature of colonial policy during this period. On one hand, it contributed to the formation of elements of political culture within Indian society and to some extent laid the groundwork for India’s future federative system. On the other hand, its aim was to deepen divisions among various ethno-confessional and social groups of the Indian population to solidify control over a key segment of the British colonial system. The actions of colonial authorities significantly exacerbated relations between key ethno-confessional groups of the Indian population by the late 1930s, setting the stage for the dramatic post-World War II processes leading to the partition of British India into two sovereign entities. The complex relations between these entities largely shape the contemporary character of international relations in South Asia.

This article examines the process of establishing the legal framework for the state’s relations with representatives of religious sectarianism, focusing on the peculiarities of the Russian Orthodox Church’s policy towards sectarianism in Tobolsk Province. A comprehensive analysis of published and unpublished archival materials is conducted, highlighting the efforts of central and local governing bodies to prevent and suppress the activities of sects that had spread in Tobolsk Province during the second half of the 19th century. By examining judicial records and periodical publications, the effectiveness of government measures in Tobolsk Province during this period is evaluated. It is demonstrated that improving the legislative basis was closely linked to gathering information about the beliefs and ritual practices of sectarians and refining the typology of religious sectarianism. The conclusion is drawn that measures to curb the spread of sectarian doctrines involved imposing penalties such as deprivation of all rights and exile of sectarians to remote regions of the country (Caucasus, Western and Eastern Siberia). The implementation of a comprehensive set of anti-sectarian measures by secular and ecclesiastical provincial governing bodies resulted in changes to the ritual practices of sectarians, making it difficult for authorities to identify sect affiliations, indicating a low level of effectiveness of the government’s actions.